The funding source that pays for such care demands a given date, in spite of the progress being made. The OT, PT, RT and ST.. all know this as your Dad is not the first, nor will he be the last. What used to be a 3-6 month protocol is now 30 days and out with a wheelchair and halo. Rehab work at home can be just as productive and rewarding with the right staff and commitment. Stepping away from a hospital rehab environment is difficult when you see slow progress being made. Begin, or you should be getting ready for the home therapies and interviewing recommended companies. Start with the outpatient discharge referrals and see where it will take you when he is discharged. Best Wishes In a message dated 9/15/2010 9:07:40 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Dear Friends, We have a family conference regarding my Dad’s discharge from the Rehab hospital. “His Medicare days are up”, according to them. Dad seems to be benefiting from ST, PT and OT there, and we feel he should stay longer. They want his to go to a LTAC facility, but that means starting over with a new speech pathologist and all. · Any suggestions for the meeting today · Can we get an extension of days and if so, how? · We have not seen a wheel chair or communication device for him (his voice is just a whisper, his swallowing is poor)- can he be discharged before the right solutions are found for mobility and communication? Looking for experience before we learn the hard way. In Him, Bo PS- did you find that home ST and PT was better than at Rehab hospital or LTAC? > Dear Friends, > > My Dad is a new C5 quad WITH some aphasia. I would love your advice > and suggestions regarding selecting his first chair and some > communication device. He can move his head and can puff/suck, but > has very minimal arm use. > > In Him, > > Bo Machado MD
