5 replies to this topic

[Mary-Anne]

My partner is a T5 para, injured March this year.
In the same accident, he got a separated shoulder,
which was on the boundary as to whether it needed
surgery or not, and the doctors decided not.

He was released from rehab in May this year,
and since then his separated shoulder has been getting
worse and worse.

The orthopedists say that the only way to relieve his pain
would be surgery, and that he should delay it as long as he
can, and that after surgery, recovery would take about a year.
Since he would not be able to do transfers, and since I am not
strong enough to lift him, we are guessing that he would not
be able to live at home for that year. I am not sure whether
having a personal care assistant visit him twice a day would
suffice, and whether we can justify a hoyer lift here, and
a more accessible vehicle for me to drive, but I am assuming not.

So...what should we look for in a nursing facility, if/when we need one?
Thus far, we know he would prefer to have an internet connection,
and FES or equivalent therapy available, and he would like not to be
exposed to television (this is the hardest to arrange). That is, there is
nothing wrong with having a TV in the room that is turned off, but he
does not like there to be a TV around that someone else is watching.
He would like to be able to leave the room where the TV is.

However, none of this addresses the level of medical care he would
need, or likelihood of infection, or anything like that. Has anyone
been through this problem yet? I am not sure what to ask for?

Thanks.

Edited by Mary-Anne, 20 September 2010 - 02:13 PM.

[Tinbasher]

Personally I would try and avoid nursing care if possible. It can rob you of what independence you have very quickly.

A HOYER will do the job and is likely to be way cheaper than nursing care.

Mary-Anne, on 20 September 2010 - 05:29 AM, said:

My partner is a T5 para, injured March this year.
In the same accident, he got a separated shoulder,
which was on the boundary as to whether it needed
surgery or not, and the doctors decided not.

He was released from rehab in May this year,
and since then his separated shoulder has been getting
worse and worse.

The orthopedists say that the only way to relieve his pain
would be surgery, and that he should delay it as long as he
can, and that after surgery, recovery would take about a year.
Since he would not be able to do transfers, and since I am not
strong enough to lift him, we are guessing that he would not
be able to live at home for that year. I am not sure whether
having a personal care assistant visit him twice a day would
suffice, and whether we can justify a hoyer lift here, and
a more accessible vehicle for me to drive, but I am assuming not.

So...what should we look for in a nursing facility, if/when we need one?
Thus far, we know he would prefer to have an internet connection,
and FES or equivalent therapy available, and he would like not to be
exposed to television (this is the hardest to arrange). That is, there is
nothing wrong with having a TV in the room that is turned off, but he
does not like there to be a TV around that someone else is watching.
He would like to be able to leave the room where the TV is.

However, none of this addresses the level of medical care he would
need, or likelihood of infection, or anything like that. Has anyone
been through this problem yet? I am not sure what to ask for?

Thanks.

[mellowgator]

i'm with tinbasher. nursing homes are so depressing. i would get a hoyer lift so he can stay home. check into renting one if you don't think your insurance will pay for it. i would think if the dr wrote the script for one you'd get it.
don't you have a handi-van in your area for getting around? i didn't realize until tyvin pointed it out that handivans are all over the country due to the ada.

good luck,

mellowgator

[sh1wn]

I'm with them on the hoyer, The rehab I went to paid for it. Your insurance may cover it if the doctor orders it.

[S&W Winger]

OMG! Forget the nursing home! HELL!!! I was in one for 2 1/2 months between trauma hosp and rehab as I was not ready for rehab...and it was truly HELL on Earth!!! There is NO CARE, I was given 5 different infections, pressure wounds, C.Diff., overt abuse, OH don't get me started on those very evil places...

...insurance should pay for home care also...and try the State for more help...I also had my left shoulder destroyed along with my right elbow and cannot transfer...insurance paid for my Hoyer(Liko,better brand, now owned and distributed by Hill Rom, so you can get directly from them, as they will accept insurance)...I have an AM CNA help me get up and at 'em...then on my own all day until a PM CNA helps me into bed...

Hope all goes well...I am considering a partial shoulder replacement in order to transfer...good luck with it all..please keep us posted...

[Tetracyclone]

Mary Anne,

There are some homes that are not horrid, but they are all understaffed and waiting an hour or more to get one's diaper changed can be quite depressing. The aides always stick their heads in the door to see if you are in acute distress, then say, "be back soon and you wait and wait.

On the other hand, a decent home can be endured by someone with grit. If you go that route spend a lot of time there with your husband to act as his advocate because the staff train themselves not to listen to patients. Many patients have dementia, or quickly develop behaviors that mimic it because the situation is so stressful. Thus aides get so they hardly listen sometimes.

If there is difficulty with insurance coverage look for some public service advocate (how can there not be one in Massachusetts?)who will talk to your insurance company and point out how much less it will cost them to keep your husband at home, even with home aide visits and hoyer. My husbands company pays Health Advocates to run interference for us with the insurance company because most all insurance companies make it impossible to communicate with them. Oh jeez, don't get me started...

Good luck. Your situation is a difficult one.