They already know what stroke people need, I don't know why they would need your mom there at all.   You would be enough so they can point things out to you.    Actually, they talked about a home eval here, but in the end, no one came at all, and I found it didn't matter.    They worry if there are steps and no rail.    They talk about putting rails in tubs (I think it is a bad idea, because the stroke person will just try to stand up the minute you aren't looking and fall in the tub).   I didn't need them at all, but if they must come, tell them it's just YOU AND THEM.    You are right, there will be a huge fiasco if she went.

Sandy,

Thanks for your input. The reality is that we all pretty much know what is needed. We only live 2 miles from the rehab. If someone wanted to come over to the house with me and take a walk through and make recommendations that would be fine. I just want things to go as smoothly for Mom as possible, without getting her upset.

John

If you have any senior citizen organizations around you, often times they will have a 'lending closet'.   All the things the insurance wouldn't pay for like shower chair, beside bed commode - they loaned me free.    I also got lucky got a hemi-walker and one of those clamps that you clamp on the side of the tub.   Bob uses it to help sit on the corner of the slide over shower bench, then I take it off.    When he is back out of the shower and sitting on the outside again, I put it back on the side of the tub.    It does not support weight side to side, but it does backward and forward.   I use it too.    I also got a bedrail from Walmart.   I never did the underthebed buckle - it wasn't necessary.    I liked his so much, I got one for me too.

OMG -- so sorry -- you will become like myself and others the -- oops slipped through the crack ---  the occupational therapist should do a walk through your home and make sure you have what you need.. ask specifically for that service to be done…  and yep-- you are gonna find a lot of stubbornness on moms part -- i deal with it daily … but your ace can me… mom we gotta go for the hour otherwise they need to keep you -- total BS on your part ( pardon the pun) but manipulation becomes part of the care taking job…. the part we hate … but in order to survive and them to survive a very important part ( with in reason) …. Welcome to our little group --- I mean that sincerely .. we try to give ideas and encourage each other - without this group I would be certifiable NUTS… again welcome… Nancyl

John :

dry run of going home for few hours will make reality sink in for you for your mom  your mom will realize  what is still lacking and will realize right now she has few nurses & therapists to take care of her, when she goes home its all on you & her so she might realize it is in her best interest to get stronger before she goes home, though I feel real recovery begins when you start living in your home, and lern to adapt & compensate  & start living life. BTW once she comes home, allow her to do her own ADL. more she does for herself, better it will be for both of you. 

Asha

Asha,

It looks like Mom will be coming home sooner than I thought. The insurance company thinks it is time for her to come home. I know that home will be the best thing for her. She can adapt to familiar surroundings. I think being in her own home will aid in her recovery. She will still get visiting nurses and therapists. It is a lot of work and exciting at the same time. Mom is going to be so happy.

John

when?   usually when they talk about evaluations, it is already time!    They didn't really give me enough time, which I thought was evil on their part.    For instance, the doctor gave me rx for a hospital bed THE NIGHT BEFORE he was coming home.    Really?   do you think I'm going home and moving a full size bed and all furniture?    If she needs help with getting up and down, make sure they have trained you in it.

Today the social worker said the insurance company thinks it is time for Mom to go home. I am appealing the decision to see if I can buy another week. They originally thought she would be there about 6 weeks. She has been there about 2 1/2 weeks. I was figuring on a few more weeks, so it is short notice. They said I shouldn't buy anything until they gave me their recommendations, now I had to buy things fast. The rehab is getting the wheelchair. Today I ordered a walker, commode, and extended transfer bench for the shower.

I have been trained in just about everything. I am having another training session tomorrow morning.

I hope you got a hemi-walker, because if one hand doesn't work, the regular one won't work for her.    I got my hemi-walker, bedside commode, shower transfer bench for free from senior citizens who have a lending closet from donations.    I also picked up toilet riser and handles, and bed rail at Walmart.

Oh, I also found a tub clamp on bar from the senior's and can you believe my luck - a metal ramp!   The tub clamp on is something I use too.   Bob uses it when he sits on the bench to support himself.   It bears weight well from front to back, but not side to side.   So, something one needs to understand before using.   I put a thick folded towel on the corner of the bench and he sits on it.  I unscrew it from the tub to put his legs in.  When he starts to put his legs over, he is already closer to being in, because we learned to sit on the corner and not the edge.   Once his legs are out, I screw the tub rail back on so he can stand while holding it for balance.  Kinda like this:

John: so sorry about the fast discharge, most of us here dealt with the same thing. The home OT will be able to help you with the home safety, just it would have been nice to have a few days to get things moved and in order.

Bruce's OT and PT from the SNF did the home evaluation without me even being here - so no, Mom did not have to go. But moot now. Good luck and try to get some help to come in - neighbors, friends, church members, family for just a few hours that first week home, until the home services get lined up. Will give you some time to get things organized and know Mom is being taken care of. Let us know. Debbie

Hi John,  just wanted to say good luck, and do try to get help from neighbors, church and other family members, if help is offered take it. Has you see, come and ask your questions, or just come and tell us how it is going.

Yvonne