News of Jeanie

[stillstANNding]

Linda,

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[Virginia]

Talked to Jeanie. She is loosing her patience to say the least. I would have lost mine a long time ago.

She can now transfer by herself from bed to wheelchair and from wheelchair back to bed. However, she can still only stand for 30 seconds. She says that she has to be able to stand long enough to "get her breeches down" to use the bedside commode. Also, she has to be able to take a step or two to get on her scooter to get around.

There are two cases of COVID on another wing from her and a worker tested positive. They tested her this morning. She does not intend to take the vaccine. She is basing this on the fact that a Neurologist she had a long time ago (and no longer has) did not want her to take the flu or pneumonia vaccines. This is up to everyone to decide I told her.

She saw a bug on her TV and couldn't get anyone in to kill it. She says she doesn't need roaches in her room. I agree.

There is now a man two doors down from her who, during the night, takes a deep breath and when letting it out makes a loud noise. She says it goes on and on. She puts in ear plugs and puts her eye mask on, but she can still hear him.

Her family had brunch on Christmas and it was some kind of egg dish. They brought her some, but she didn't think much of it. They didn't have a Christmas dinner in the rehab because all the regular cooks were off and they just had some people filling in, so it was regular food.

They brought her a chicken salad sandwich, some lettuce and tomatoes and pudding a couple of nights ago. She said she told them to get her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from the kitchen that she had not had enough food. She says this is available to them all the time. They brought her tray for tonight just as we were going to hang up. She looked and saw that it was Shepard's Pie. She says they do a good job on that so she was happy about tonight's meal.

She really, really wants out of there. She misses everyone on here and she said we were like a family and I told her she was right about that. I told her Random Thoughts was back with us and that some of the people who have been around a long time occasionally stop by, but by and large it was the same crew as when she was able to get on. I told her where things stood with Sunshine getting the baclofen pump sometime later in the month. She hopes it works.

She says hi to everyone and sends her love. I told her we miss her a lot.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

Thank you so much for this update on Jeanie. I can only try to imagine how frustrated she is and how much she wants to go home.

That's tremendous progress that she can transfer herself. Does she have aides with her when she transfers? Is her scooter there at the rehab? If so, that is great. Perhaps she can venture outside onto the grounds to get fresh air.

Listening to the noisy gentleman sleeping is disrupting her sleep, which is unhealthy for her (and all other residents). It's probably also nerve-wracking. The man probably has sleep apnea and needs a CPap.

A roach in a rehab facility is a health violation. If she told her sons, they could call the agency, which handles that kind of issue, and report the facility. Whether anything would be done about it is another story. But, at least a complaint would be on file, should anything else arise.

Oh dear, and now COVID has hit the facility. I will step up my prayers that Jeanie doesn't get it, because it seems to spread like wildfire in long term care facilities. Is Jeanie still taking LDN? I doubt that she can use her silver treatments there. She seems to prefer natural remedies, so I understand her concern about not taking the vaccine.

A Shepherd's Pie is more of a dinner than a chicken salad sandwich. No wonder she was still hungry. Egg dishes are usually not as tasty leftover as they are, when they're fresh. Instead of pudding, how about a serving of fresh fruit? I suspect that long term facilities use canned and frozen food and less than high quality produce and meats. It's the bottom line: saving cost on subpar food, as well as preparation time.

I just remember the slop given to Jim, when he had his brief stint in "the best of the rehab facilities in the area." Our hospital now provides outstanding food (for a hospital), which he expected to be served at the rehab.

I've been thinking about an alternative for Jeanie, if she can't go home with home health care. I don't know if these exist in Florida.

John's mother lived out her final years in a house in a neighborhood, with 5 other Seniors. The home employed caregivers, who tended to all of their needs, fed them home cooked meals, and kept in contact with John's family. Of course, his family is large, and they each dropped in to visit her unannounced several times a week. The home was clean, and the food was nourishing, while the care was personal and focused. I don't know whether Medicare/Medicaid would pay for this kind of residency, but it is less expensive and far more home-like than a facility. It might mean that Jeanie would need to sell her home to afford this kind of care, but if it exists, it is a better option than where she is.

I'm sure that Jeanie knows how much we miss and love her, and that our prayers and positive energy are flowing her way continuously.

Thank you again, Virginia, for keeping us connected to Jeanie.

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[Sunshine 2]

Thanks for the update Virginia.

You can tell Jeanie that my Neurologist, due to MS, told me not to take any live attenuated vaccines. COVID is not one of those. Neither is the flu shot. Please let her know that. He is an MS specialist and very well regarded.

[agate]

A roach in a rehab facility is a health violation. If she told her sons, they could call the agency, which handles that kind of issue, and report the facility. Whether anything would be done about it is another story. But, at least a complaint would be on file, should anything else arise.

A roach is completely unacceptable. They spread disease. They can easily take over the premises. Roaches are going to outlast everything on this planet.

[Sunshine 2]

That being said, in Florida roaches are part of life.
Is it the big kind r the little kind.Was it one roach, or are there several roaches. Does it move fast, or slow (Slow means it is being poisoned by the bug spray people that treat roaches).

In FL they spray our house around the perimeter 4 times a year. If there is still an inside problem, they figure out the source, bait it and spray.

I hate seeing a roach in the house. But its florida. Especially when it gets really cold outside (like now) sometimes you will find an indoor roach.

Jeanie likely knows all f this, so maybe it is something worse than what one expects in Florida.

[Virginia]

I think that was the only time she has seen a roach in her room Sunshine, so she probably does realize they are prevalent in Florida. I didn't know that. She has just lost patience with everything I think and I can well understand.

Rose, I have not asked but if she has her scooter there I think in all the times we have talked she would have mentioned it. She is not allowed outside and cannot go out of her room. This is due to COVID. It is bad, but I do know that even most of the retirement homes around here, where you pay an outlandish amount of money to rent, are the same way. Where they had a dinning room and congregated for meals, their meals are now being taken to them. So, it seems this is standard practice now. It is bad but I understand it is for the safety of the people.

Sunshine, I will mention to her that the COVID vaccine is not a live virus. Since Jeanie is a nurse, I have to tread carefully when I try to mention these things. She is very adamant in her beliefs.

Rose, Jeanie had her LDN with her in her pocketbook. I can't remember for sure, this was in a prior conversation, but I think she could take it but was not allowed to keep any of her own medicine because they are concerned that someone might wander in when she is asleep and see pills and take a bunch. They were bringing them to her at night when she asked for them.

I tried to encourage her to do some isometric exercises while lying in bed on her own and not wait for just the times that the therapist are in the room helping her. I asked if she could do that and she said yes, but that the cover she had to have on her bed now inhibited her because her legs would not lift the cover.

If she would consent to trying to use it, I would get her an Amazon Fire Tablet. But she doesn't want it. I don't want to say or do anything that will frustrate her more than she already is.

When she broke her leg the first time Nuthatch wanted to get her a rotating mattress cover and something that would keep her feet from getting sore. She was again very adamant about not wanting either. So, I kind of have to go by what she wants. I don't want to make her mad and upset her, with the frustration she already knows that would not be a good thing. I think she enjoys my calls because she gets to hear about all of you.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Sunshine ~

I hesitated to say that roaches are a problem in Florida, which I know from having visited Florida a few times and knowing friends, who lived there. And, if it is cold there, and that brings them in, then it makes sense that one might appear in a room. My concern is that where there is one, there are usually many more.

You have your home protected regularly from roaches encroaching (I can't help it ) in your home. Every long term care facility should do the same thing. And if one roach is found, it's time to call the exterminator. Roaches multiply, and as agate said, will probably be the last living thing on Earth someday.

But someone has to report the roach sighting to an authority. Jeanie is probably not going to do that, so her sons won't either. I'd be surprised if any of the residents would report it. And that is how long term facilities get away with subpar care.

COVID possibly facilitates infractions, because no one wants to inspect a long term care facility.

We have to find better ways to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient care at home, or in a home setting, like John's mom had. It is definitely more cost effective and provides a better quality of life, than long term care facilities.

I hope that you continue to keep roaches out of your home.

Virginia ~

I'm so sorry. I misunderstood your comment about Jeanie having "to be able to take a step or two to get on her scooter to get around." This is one of her goals to go home.

I do understand about the COVID restrictions, although being outside in the fresh air should be a good thing. Once again, the staff ratio is probably low, because of COVID, which prevents taking patients outside.

The concern about Jeanie having her meds at beside and being taken by someone else is reasonable. I just wondered whether she is still getting LDN, since she's been in there for quite awhile, and she may not have been able to renew her prescription.

You are doing a wonderful job of lifting Jeanie's spirits, keeping her updated on all of her friends here, and supporting her with your love and friendship. Thank you for being our ambassador to Jeanie.

Sending continuing prayers, positive, healing energy, and love ~

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[Lazarus]

“John's mother lived out her final years in a house in a neighborhood, with 5 other Seniors. The home employed caregivers, who tended to all of their needs, fed them home cooked meals, and kept in contact with John's family. Of course, his family is large, and they each dropped in to visit her unannounced several times a week. The home was clean, and the food was nourishing, while the care was personal and focused. I don't know whether Medicare/Medicaid would pay for this kind of residency, but it is less expensive and far more home-like than a facility. It might mean that Jeanie would need to sell her home to afford this kind of care, but if it exists, it is a better option than where she is.“

That is exactly the type of situation I want. I have 2 friends with whom I have discussed this. We could all live in different apartments in the same house and hire medical staff and cleaning/ cooking staff to stop in regularly. So, we are living at home with the help we need to stay in our home. And the finances would work....cheaper than a nursing home. I read about people doing this in Boston and it has stayed with me as a perfect option if circumstances bring us all together at the same point in time.
Linda

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Linda ~

That is an ideal situation, where three or more friends can share a home and split the cost for care. As you said, it is dependent upon circumstances bringing you together at the same time.

The home, where John's mother lived, was owned by a group of people, who owned several houses for the purpose of providing care to Seniors, particularly those, who had dementia.

Of course, I am a strong proponent of in-home care, as I've been a caregiver my entire adult life. Even if it isn't your home, it is a home, not a facility or an institutional setting. Research proves that in-home care results in a better quality of life, more independence, and a longer life span.

It's important that we make a plan, ensure that our loved ones know what we want and don't want, and try to prepare in advance to make those desires materialize.

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[Virginia]

I talked to Jeanie this afternoon. Really, no progress. She felt she had made a little - I think she was up to 1 minute, but needed two people and a walker she said. However, insurance cancelled her PT. She was without for two weeks. Her sons are paying for 3 sessions a week at $35.00 per session. So she is back taking PT, but can only make it 30 seconds when she gets up.

She does say that she can transfer from a hospital bed to a wheelchair. She said if she was going home insurance would need to get her a hospital bed, a wheelchair and a bedside commode. (the latter I thought she had)

She doesn't know how many COVID patients there are on the wing where they put them. No one has said, since they told her there were two. Her aid and the physical therapist all wear mask, face shields, gloves and gowns, so I thought that was a good thing. Sounds like they are trying as far as that goes. She did say that there was some kind of fungus going around and they checked her this morning with a swab under her arms and in the groin area.

I can tell she is getting tired of their food. She said about half the time it was not very good and the rest of the time it is alright.

She still misses everyone on here. She said by the time she got out she would have forgotten how to use the computer. I told her she would pick it right up again.

I told her about Agate's shoulder and arm and that Sunshine seems to be doing really well with her walking.

Jeanie has a birthday coming up in March. Agate do you know the date in March? I forgot to ask that. I thought if as many of us as can would try to send her a card it would be really nice. She loves to get cards. I feel sure I will be talking to her between now and March, but Agate if you know the date we could maybe put it on our calendars so we wouldn't forget to send it.

She seemed so glad to hear from me today. I was glad I stopped what I was doing and called. When she answered and I asked her how she was doing she said wonderful now that you have called. She really loves to hear from all of you and I am a connection for her.

I try to be positive and not let her give up hope, but I think all of you can see a little of what it is like for her.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

Thank you for calling Jeanie and updating us.

How discouraging that Jeanie isn't making progress and frustrating that her insurance cut off her PT. I'm sure that every resident in the facility needs PT. That should be covered for long-term care especially. It's good to hear that her sons are paying for her to receive it.

I wonder what the fungus is and how patients are spreading it. I think the residents should have a right to know how many people have COVID, unless they aren't revealing it, because the administration doesn't want to upset or worry the other residents. Thankfully, the staff are wearing protective gear, as they should. The residents should be given masks too.

How long has Jeanie been there? A year or close to it? Clinging to hope is about all she or we can do, and we must remain positive. She could probably go home now, if she could get the same level of care in her home. She will need someone with her 24 hours a day to help her get in/out of bed, cook and clean for her. In home care is significantly less expensive than institutional care, so it infuriates me that there aren't more social service programs and Medicare covering in home care.

In the 1980s, in home care was "the wave of the future." We all know how that wave turned into barely wetting the sand on the shore.

Thank you for the reminder of Jeanie's birthday.

And as always, thank you, Virginia, for being our liaison with Jeanie.

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[agate]

Virginia, thank you for contacting Jeanie on our behalf! I'm so sorry more progress isn't being made and certainly hope that the situation will change for her. There's so little we can do but we can at least keep letting her know she's in our thoughts.

Her birthday is March 22.

I think that if anyone here wants to send her a card, that would be really nice. I'll be sending a card.

[Ikoiko]

My best wishes to Jeanie.

[Virginia]

I'll also be sending a card.