We now have him on 24-hour in-home nursing care. At $20 an hour, I have no idea how I'm going to pay for the additional hours, but he is NOT going into a nursing home if I can help it as that would break his heart after outliving two wives and two kids in this house. (So go buy Calexit - OK?)
I'll have a post up soon. We spent the day putting up a partial railing on the house of an 88-year-old widow that belongs to our church. Her steps had no railing, and with the winter weather and even the rain, we were worried about her falling and breaking a hip as the steps themselves were uneven due to their age. So Partner made one that matched the other ironwork around her 110-year-old home and painted it to match the house trim.
She only wanted it from the top step down, so that the people that clean the gutters on the two-story home can put a ladder behind it and that was easy to do. But the degradation of the steps themselves and tweaking to get it aligned and mounted securely was a 5-hour project.
I think it turned out nice.
I'll be up with a longer post when I catch up on my sleep. - Brigid
Glad to hear that your Father is doing better.
ReplyDeleteBut how are you doing?
Merle
I'm tired. Want to start on book #5, but just mentally worn out right now. Probably start it this winter. Husband and I are good, and Abby the rescue Lab is a continued joy.
DeleteSo happy to hear Dad is doing well. Those UTI are tough things for the elderly. Continued Thoughts and Prayers for you both.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear - on all counts.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that a friend of mine's father was at a home and went delirious. My friend, a retired machine repairman, suggested to the doctor that it might be a UTI, and it was.
ReplyDeleteFirst I'd heard of that symptom.
Must have been first for the doctor also. :(
Nice job on the railing and charitable act.
I had a friend at church that needed a ramp to her home.
I drew it up and was going to get a crew from church.
Then we discovered there was state money for that!
I took out a Michigan State Vendor license to get paid and subcontracted it to a construction guy I knew.
Easy Peasy.
That was good of you. This was really simple, about 5 hours work on his part.
DeleteUTI's can be a bear for sure!! Glad he is doing better.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about having Hospice do an evaluation? Even though he doesn't have cancer. Hospice does end of life care for all types of diagnoses when folks are at end of life. If he qualifies medically, they would provide more help, and a nurse to check on him on a regular basis. And the costs are covered by Medicare. Hospice is all about being home instead of pushing folks into hospitals or "nursing homes"/assistive living. The evaluation typically is either free of charge as he was just in the hospital, or under $200 if he wasn't.
Just a suggestion. I hate to see you have to go it alone if it isn't necessary.
Tell Dad to drink more, it helps to ward off UTI's.
He doesn't qualify medically. Other than the UTI's which knock him for a loop he's still working out twice a week. He mostly has care because if he doesn't he tries to climb on the ladder, or go for a walk across the highway because he still thinks he's 20. It's more for his safety than acute medical care and he won't live with family. It's frustrating but thank you for the good advice. He hates drinking water - I've tried everything.
DeleteTell him they can put an IV in his arm if he is not drinking enough.
DeleteLinda -that's not an option. I'm not going to discuss particulars of my Dad's health condition on the blog, but trust me, he's getting the best care we can give him.
DeleteI'm glad to hear that your dad is better. It's tough at this stage; my mom was happier at the nursing home, but Medicare kicked her out. She's back at home now, but doesn't get the help she needs, and we're 3,500 miles away. We share your frustration and concern, I think.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard - I have a female cousin who is really close to Dad who is in Northern California and her partner's family is 45 minutes from Dad so they visit often and she handles the checkbook as he was writing a check to anyone that sent an envelope that had the words "Impeach" on it. (sigh). Liz is awesome and having lost her parents very young she and Dad are especially close.
DeleteDang, for the price of that ticket they should give you a plane ...
ReplyDeleteGlad that your Dad is doing better. He's lucky that you look after him so well.
I didn't realize how much work my brother did to maintain his home until he died and I had to do it all. But Dad is happy where he's lived 60 years, I can't expect him to change that to make my life easier.
DeleteGood news on your Dad, we'll keep him in prayer, every little bit helps.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear he's better! And Airlines WILL rip those in need off with NO compunction...
ReplyDelete$3000. I don't miss PDX.
ReplyDeleteFirst weekend in May is Warren Buffett's shindig in Omaha. Second weekend -- Mothers Day.
I've driven that route in less than 40 hours, but it is brutal. Push as far as you can into WY before ~ Midnight when the hookers and barrels-o-porn appear at Love's. Shower, nap, back on the road for the remaining miles at sunrise.
I'm weak. I only made Laramie. Hookers and porn in the open at the fuel stops make *me* nervous.
When he had his stroke 16 years ago I drove out, as I had to take the dog as I was going to be there for a couple of months. I won't make THAT trip again.
DeleteI must have missed CalExit, will look for it. Being a full time student with no income makes it tough but I have discretionary funds for books :)
ReplyDeleteIt's less than the cost of a fast food meal, so thanks!
DeleteIf you would consider starting a Patreon account I would gladly donate an hour of his care each month. It would be a bargain considering the enjoyment I get from your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tommy, but I'm not in a position with my employment I can publicly solicit for money. It's sweet of you though.
DeleteGlad that Papa is doing well. I hope you stay in good health. Nice to see folks helping others
ReplyDeleteThank you Rob - I hope you and that grandson of yours are doing well.
DeleteLast Fall, I was really ill but not a lot of fever, just feeling like nothing made sense. I ran right into a curb because I just did not turn. That cost me a tire replacement. I knew I could not express myself. I could not understand some of what people were saying. It turns out I had a uti. A week later I read that the elderly are often diagnosed with dementia when they have a uti. Treatment of the uti restores their mental faculties they had before the uti was discovered and treated. I am only 71, maybe not elderly, but old enough that a uti made me feel as one never has before.
ReplyDelete