PRAYERS FOR MY DAD

Good luck on your trip!  Here are some tips for future care as I have been trained by experts through the years of working with my own family and hundreds of clients in similar situations.

I think one of the most important thing I did was to talk to a social worker. If he is still in the hospital, call and set up a face-to-face for when you get there.   And use them!

For instance,  if your Dad goes to a REHAB place before released to home, you should make a face-to-face appointment with the social work department of the unit.  When you travel back to Boulder, they will be your “representative”  for all upcoming matters.  They can talk to physicians, nurses, therapists for you.

Then, they will transition you probably to the social worker his primary care or specialist uses when he is sent home.  This one thing can change the entire progression of his recovery.  They acted like a coach with me and helped me keep everything together long distance.

You need to think about sitting down with your Mother and the social worker and perhaps draw up a document stating that the 2 of you are now his medical power of attorney until he is well.  This way, in her overwhelm, while once alone with neither you or your sister, she will not be “preyed upon” by the system and you may oversee everything.

Now this is cutting edge information that may help your Dad and the entire family.  Not to mention the immediate medical staff.  Have the social worker recommend a Geriatric Physician.  Get them on board now for the future with your parents aging process.  They know how to balance all the different information you will be getting medically regarding your parents’ care and support system.  This also is an absolute GAME CHANGER!  Even if the Neurologist is his primary MD right now with his family Doctor.  They are trained specifically in AGING medically.  The social worker will help you to get it covered by insurance.  In fact the social worker will help your family with ALL OF YOUR NEEDS and your Dad’s needs.

I hope this helps and you will consider these options.

Let me know if you decide in remote work for him as well, not to be solicitous.

Hugs and Love and KEEP THOSE SLOW DEEP BREATHS COMING!  Karen