In February my Dad, who recently turned 79 y.o., had surgery for a strangulated hernia. He then went home and over-all had a good recovery. About 6 weeks later he went back to the hospital for a double by-pass heart surgery. The Doctors wanted Dad to do therapy/rehab afterwards.
Right now Dad is in a nursing home for his rehab. He has been there almost a month. He is making good progress, his strength is steadily coming back. Still some confusion which comes with it, but over-all not doing bad.
Dad is tired of being in the nursing home. He's ready to come home. This weekend I was able to get with his Dr to grant him a 2-day weekend pass. Dad done well while he was home. However when it came time to go back, naturally he didn't want to but did so, with reluctance. And Mom would prefer, at this point Dad getting to come home.
To make matters a little worse, Dad has an older brother that lives elsewhere, had a quadruple by-pass surgery. He got to go right home after a week. Instructed to do exercises for his recovery.
A little something I hate to add, but I wonder if they are trying to keep Dad a patient in the nursing home as long as they can because Medicare is footing the bill for a certain amount of time.
Essentially under such circumstances, what is an appropriate time Dad should be released & get to come home???
Posts: 2277 | Location: Martinsville, IL | Registered: 06-03-02
If he is doing well, strong, independent, healthy.. there is no reason he can't come home.
I treat patients all the time a whole lot sicker than he sounds to be in their home almost right after the initial hospitalization.
Speak to his doctor and get an order for his release.
Also, your dad has the right to sign himself out. If there is concern about a few ongoing needs, therapy and such, I am sure there are home health agencies in his area that can continue until he is as fit as a fiddle.
Here is a Yahoo Phone Book listing of all the agencies in your area:
Sherasi-I appreciate your thoughts on this. I am wondering if there is anything else we should keep in mind before Dad takes the step of signing himself. What I am getting at is stuff like Medicare or insurance considerations that we might not be aware of, should he decide to take such a course of action.
Posts: 2277 | Location: Martinsville, IL | Registered: 06-03-02
Your father has to be in able condition to care for himself. This means, dishes, laundry, taking any stairs that might be necessary for him to get around... I see that you got him to come home for two days. If you think that he handled it well and could have managed by himself, and he feels that as well, there is no reason why he should remain in the Home. I would suggest, though, getting him one of those "I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up" buttons, just in case of an emergency...
My grandmother had a quintuple bypass last May and she is still in "the institution." She desperately wants to go home and is working toward the goal, but she knows that she can't go home yet, as much as she might like to. Different people recuperate at different rates.
Posts: 4534 | Location: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Sherasi & Elexina-I thank you for your responses. Now for a little update.
Yesterday, he went and had a visit with his heart surgeon. He said it was fine by him if Dad goes home but his family Dr should make taht call. So this morning, Mom & I went in to see him. We had a little meeting, he expressed his concerns, Mom spoke her mind on a few things & of course I put in my nickels worth too. So his family Dr released him to come home. Also there will be a home health nurse coming to see Dad next week.
If anything, Dad is happy to be home. More so, Mom is glad he's home. I was actually getting more concerned for her because the situation was starting to work on her as well. So she's now happy that he is home where he belongs.
Posts: 2277 | Location: Martinsville, IL | Registered: 06-03-02
& of course I put in my nickels worth too. So his family Dr released him to come home. Also there will be a home health nurse coming to see Dad next week. 
