Ensuring my wife had somebody with her while I went in the hospital.

Hello, to all caregivers that have to find somebody to stay with your loved one while you have to leave him or her to enter the hospital.

To say that it is stressful to have to leave your loved one while you go into the hospital is an understatement. How can you be sure she will be cared for, will the person you select be pleasent, kind, and helpful.

A case in point, I had orders from my Doctor that I needed a heart Cath. I had an induced stress test performed on my heart and the result was not good. A heart cath was then scheduled. I would be in the hospital as an outpatient assuming no stent or angioplasty was needed. Should either or both be required I would be in the hospital overnight and possibly two nights.

I checked with my daughter and her family and they were in no position to take time off from work to stay with Claudia. Today's economy being what it is, and the advantage that the bastards in charge are taking is criminal. Management can and will fire you for taking time off for family emergencies. So no help there.

Fortunately I have some wonderful friends that I was able to call on for help. One person was able to come and stay with Claudia from 8am until noon, at which time the caregiver from medicare would be able to come and stay for as long as it took, even if it meant staying overnight. We informed her that we would pay for the hours that medicaid would not cover. (Ostensibly, the company supplying the help will not allow a person to stay longer then 7.5 hours, and will not allow them to stay overnight).

I have another friend that willingly drove me to and from the hospital. Believe me when I say I will help him whenever and however I can.

Can you believe that, medicaid will pay for a caregiver to stay with a person but not overnight. You will find that if your loved one must have 24/7 care they will move her to a nursing home. That's so, only if the beaurocracy thinks they should allow it in the first place.

Do I sound bitter! you bet I am.
Really, really disgusted with Medicare and Medicaid on certain issues.

Yes I am certainly grateful for the help we are getting.

God Bless us all, Victor Winebrenner

All comments are welcome.
"(C) Copyright by Victor Winebrenner"