Does anyone know what a “Care Overview Conference” might be? Mom is in the ortho rehab wing of a nursing facility recovering from her hip revision operation of January 18. She got a notice saying there would be such a conference attended by the coordinator, nutritionist, therapist, nursing, and social services. I haven’t been able to get ahold of the coordinator yet but suspect it involves her potential release and future plans. I just wondered if this is a common term or something specific to the facility.
I think each facility may have their own terminology, but I’d assume you’re correct about the purpose of the meeting. Even if she’s not ready for discharge, her progress to date and future goals would be discussed.
Marilyn - it’s got to be about her progress and the future plans.
My sister and I are going to South Florida for the weekend. We’re both exhausted and frazzled. It’s one thing to know you can’t do anything to make mom happy, it’s another to live it. Every time I call it’s a complaint about one thing or another. I keep the calls short. Honestly, I just don’t feel like talking to her. I can’t even muster the good attitude for a 15 minute phone call. I’m cutting back on my calls, she has plenty of activity and action, between friends, doctors, therapists and some family. I just can’t do it right now. As we speak I have a ball of anxiety sitting in my diaphragm.
Marilyn - these care plan meetings are often a part of rehab or nursing home placements and a chance to hear updates from the team and collaborate on aftercare plans, which is ongoing. I believe quarterly ones for nursing home residents are required in my state .
Eyeamom- good for you and your sister to take this break. Re-charging is critical and most of us know that knot in the stomach feeling! It is different to live it and it can wear you down. Since your mother is well-cared for, peace of mind as you take space for yourself is a gift. Please know that we all need some time off the front lines, for any number of reasons. Take good care! Preserving your positive outlook for you and your family is a great goal.
Eyeamom, good! That’s just the right plan. Mom’s in good hands, and the opportunity for daily complaints does no one any good. Enjoy your well-earned weekend.
Great Eyeamom! You and your sister did good and need some time away knowing your mom is safe and well cared for.
@ Eyemom your stress in your body can be quickly tamped down by doing this. Breathe in on count of 4- hold for count of 7" and exhale through your mouth count of 8. Repeat a few times. It’s simple and it really works.
It’s called - 4/7/8 breathing.
I read about it as a technique to help relax to fall asleep, but works quickly in all stress situations.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/149332-4-7-8-breathing-exercises/
Is he a candidate for an insulin pump, surfcity? Maybe under a compassionate use guideline?
Re: the insulin pump. He used one for years, but now with the brain injury he can’t be trusted with it. Too easy for him to dial himself a dose when he doesn’t need it, or dial the wrong dose etc.
Had a good conversation with one senior living place who explained to me how they could support and assist my mom so she doesn’t have to be on 24/7 watch. It would require us to pay for medication/glucose management but it would relieve mom. Just need to visit a few more places and see which one would be best for them. In the mean time I am still trying to find a private duty nurse or someone we can train to help. Thanks!
Thanks for that, @SouthJerseyChessMom
Forgive me in advance if this sounds horrible, maybe I need sensitivity training.
Very sadly tonight we put our 17 yo cat to sleep. We kept a calendar the past few weeks determining if his day was overall good or overall bad, it had been overall bad for a week. He just looked miserable, even when we cuddled up with him last night in bed under our covers - his favorite thing to do. The doc knew he had some kind of cancer, we declined testing out the wazoo over it as nothing would have changed the outcome.
Even as a christian I think we’re kinder to animals than people.
@eyemamom, this is on the same subject:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/cat-death-with-dignity/
@eyemamom
First, I’m sorry for your loss. It’s tough to lose a beloved pet, but you did the right thing.
And second, it doesn’t sound horrible. I had that thought many times during my dad’s decline. Hugs.
Sorry for your loss, eyeamom. I understand your thinking, too. Hang in there.
Sorry for your loss, eyemamom. There are certainly times that our actions are more humane when it comes to animals than people.
Losing pets, who are our family members, is hard. Sorry for your loss.
@surfcity In case you haven’t seen it yet, I responded to your PM. Good luck.
eyeamom, so sorry about your cat. 17 years is pretty old and you did the right thing. I miss our cats still. I’ve had the thought that we are allowed to treat our pets better than we can treat our parents. I’ve thought that for years since my my grandmother died of Alzheimers years and years ago.
@surfcity, I feel for you and your folks, too. You can do something, but it is hard. I don’t know about insulin, pumps or aides to help so am just sending a hug.
Sorry for the loss of your cat eyeamom. My parent’s cat was 20 when we moved them from Florida to the retirement community near me. To my surprise she made the move just fine and lived for another 8 months. You did the right thing and I thought at the time how we treat animals better.
Eyemamom thank you for saying that, as it has occurred to me many times. Before she slipped into total memory loss my mom said she wanted a pill she could take to go to sleep peacefully. Then she started to talk about walking out into the ocean, which is when I hired a daily caregiver. She told us many times she was “ready to go”. My siblings though she meant she was ready to go to assisted care but I knew what she really meant. I think she knew I was the most sympathetic so she was honest with me, but really there was nothing to be done but try to treat her depression. Now she is plied with drugs that make her sleepy most of the day and living a fairly peaceful existence day to day. I don’t think she suffers the depression that hit when she realized she was losing her memory, but it’s hard to know what she is feeling. I agree with with an earlier comment that the memory loss offers some protection from the full realization of one’s suffering.