For those concerned with EMR (Elecronic Medical Records) there is a book “Big Brother in the Exam Room” 2018. A MD friend of mine gave me the book. Written by a Twila Brase RN/PHN, she lays out a lot in the book.
I have kept medical records on H and myself - mine I had to keep a line by line ‘timeline’ for anything medical (standard notebook paper, now on page 8) once I began TX for aggressive stage III cancer (will celebrate 10 years cancer free soon). H’s urologist said it was smart keeping reports, as some medical offices are only required to keep records 3 years in our state. H sees his family practitioner at least twice a year, and I can help in the appt with MD seeing everything/getting updated in a short time (our paper charts there are pretty thick).
We are two years from Medicare…and retirement. DD1 is a RN/BSN, and glad to have her in the profession.
There is something to knowing a lot about ‘the system’.Our retired family practitioner was so super - he not only had a huge body of knowledge, but intimately knew all the great specialists and what could be done. Replacement MD is competent but just not Dr B. Teaching nursing students in the hospital, I see some of how hospital staffing and systems have changed over the years. Also working in skilled care/rehab.
Key for older relatives is to manage things when they are healthy - be it moving/remodeling, etc. H’s parents finally got the main floor BR/Bath and laundry room. One still lives there with lots of help coming in, while dad is in skilled care.
If a parent is determined to live in their home, just have the help come in and help them manage it as best they can.
It is true that the ‘family’ often means biological daughters and sons, not in-laws with getting the parents to do things more safely or getting their legalities in order.
@SOSConcern , Twila Brase was in my HS graduating class. She was brilliant back then…also calm, fair, empathetic. Quite accomplished now…and a powerful force in healthcare.
On my way to Texas I learned that my sister’s husband was taken to the ER due to A fib. No previous health issues. He ended up in a hospital room two doors down from my Dad!! Nobody could believe it. At least he was released in time to go to his son’s (my nephew’s) graduation. His heart problems are probably from a viral infection sometime in the past. They will use meds rather than surgery to treat. Not sure about long term prognosis.
Dad looks good! I’m so glad I will be in Austin until the 13th. ?
My H has been on medical treatment for Afib for over 10 years. He refuses any surgical intervention and, at his last cardiology visit (which I went to with him), the doctor said his ejection fraction had improved so much they were not going to look at surgery at this point. Next stop, the bariatric surgeon, although the obesity and the afib are not linked.
My mom passed away last weekend. In between planning the funeral mass (we had a brass quartet) and the reception afterwards (tea sandwiches, her and our favorite ice cream cake) sibs and I worked on her apartment. Does anyone know a place that will take a hospital bed? We don’t want to throw it out but we don’t know what to do with it.
If anyone wonders, the trick to not start sobbing while you’re trying to do a reading at your beloved mother’s funeral is practice, practice, practice, practice. Pretty soon the words stop meaning anything. Four of mom’s kids spoke or did readings at her mass, and although all of our voices cracked at some point, all got through their parts without breaking down.
Our church takes some medical equipment to lend out but not sure about beds. Maybe try a church in your area or an agency that provides in home health care.
@MaineLonghorn I get to ride in an ambulance to the hospital with afib every once in awhile. After my first episode, which happened after a flight to the opposite coast to help a very sick daughter, I figured it was just stress-related. MY heart rate goes up to 200 and bp that time went down below 70. It lasted 45 minutes. I had no idea if it would recur.
I declined blood thinners despite the fact that once I hit 65, my CHADS score indicated a need. The cardiologist kept up the pressure and finally told me that I was probably right and they were probably overmedicating people. That said, I follow an afibbers group online and take magnesium as well as potassium (low sodium V-8) and do Tai Chi.
Three years later I had another longer episode, also ended up in ambulance. Heart rate over 200 again, breathless, chest pain radiating to jaw etc. It lasted 4 hours this time. However, the cardiologist there said if it happens every three years, pretend it never happened. If it starts happening more often, do something.
One other thing: I cannot take beta blockers or calcium channel blockers due to low bp so I am completely unmedicated. I do fine in between episodes. I have worn a monitor twice for a month to make sure. The new Apple watch records afib if that is helpful.
Hope this rather long story is reassuring. Or maybe it doesn’t apply at all! I barely think about afib until it happens!
My mother (who I am moving to memory care finally) lost her hearing aid. The one she had sits in her ear somewhat precariously. I am getting a new one. Can anyone suggest a good hearing aid for someone with dementia specifically? Thanks!