door60

I've posted in another area of these boards regarding a new bill Assemblywoamn Valerie Huttle and Senator Loretta Weinberg are trying to pass in New Jersey. It is the Acquired Brain Injury Bill. The bill gives those who financially qualify, $7500 worth of home health services a year. I spoke to Assemblywoman Huttle last week, she promised to introduce the bill in the fall (it's been floating around for 2 years now), but she is really interested in hearing from those in NJ who would benefit from the bill. She is particularly interested in hearing from those who received funding from the Traumatic Brain Injury Fund, and no longer do because that Fund now excludes stroke patients. Please, if you live in NJ, and could benefit from the fund, or if you know someone who can, please call Assemblywoman Huttles office: 201-541-1118 The bill number is A-1005 in the assembly and S786 in the Senate.

I just wanted to give everyone an update on my mother..... It looks like she gained everything back from pre-seizure, EXCEPT her confidence and her inner strength. My mother is just so tired of living life like this. What can I do? I don't blame her -- I'm tired too. Today I went to see her at the rehab, and she was just crying, and when I left , I cried too. I really feel her pain. I just want her to be happy. I want her to be strong. What can I do ??? Dorrie

So, they pushed my mother out the hospital door, and now she's in rehab. Today was the 1st time the hospital let her get out of bed, and they wanted her O-U-T She is very shakey though, and not as stable as pre seizure. They increased her anti-seizure meds to double the dosage. Please keep the prayers coming that she'll be at least as good as pre-seizure. Dorrie

The state aid in NJ is just about non-existant. When you run out of $$, and go on Medicaid, the most home health aide care you can get is 20 hours a week. I 've been talking to my representatives for 2 years, and I always get the same Budget cut-back story. Meanwhile, I keep pointing out that it is cheaper to care for someone in their home, as opposed to in a facility. Somehow it does not get thru to these thick headed legislatures. I am going in a little while to visit my mother. She's just so weak from the seizures. Like I mentioned she just got out of rehab 6 days ago. I don't know if she should go back in, or we should just get help 24/7 for a month or so. My mom's so tired of all of this, and so am I. Dorrie

As a lot of you know, I have been care giving for my mother for 3 1/2 years since her stroke. In August, her H.U.D> apartment fianlly came thru, and she moved out in September. We were all really excited. Well in the beginning of October, all of a sudden she started falling -- 3x in a week !! She was hospitalized (no broken bones thankfully), and went to rehab for 4 weeks. She came back on Tuesday, and she had evening help 9PM - 9AM. Well yesterday, her aide came, and my mother had her do the laundry. In the meantime, her friend who was with her was leaving, but had a bad feeling, and returned to her apartment -- My mother was face down on the floor. Over 3 years post stroke, and close to 3 years since her 1st and last seizure, she had another seizure !! I am so devastated. We really all wanted this apartment thing to work, because living with us was impossible for all of us (including my mother) Any words of advice ? My mother is now in the hospital weak from the seizure, and I am beside myself as I don't know what to do. We are planning at least 1 month of round the clock care for her when she gets out of the hospital. The problem with round the clock care is that I don't want her money to run out before she does. Dorrie

I would definately move him back to his home with 24 hour care if the finances permit it. If you do this, though, you should also have a neighbor check in on him several times a week to make sure your Dad likes his caregiver. Then down the line, I would talk to your Dad and tell him you'd like to move him in his own apartment near you or your sister. Either way, if the finances are there, I would try to get him in his own home, even if that means a new home for him. Dorrie