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Transferring a disabled spouse and problems getting the proper equipment

Saturday, March 02, 2013

I had a tiff with a health aide this morning. I have wanted to use the Hoyer lift that we own. She has never wanted to use it. I hired someone from a different agency to come once a week in the evenings. (Very long story.) I required her to use the lift and she in fact is unwilling to transfer him without the lift. emoticon

The morning aide admitted that she needs a lift because DH is heavier and does not stand as well as before. She hates the lift we have. I tried to help her use it. We ended up in a mess. DH was safe but he got in the act and made things even worse.

the new evening aide has been here twice. The first night, I transferred him myself. Oh--the lift sling pad from the lift was not under hubby so the lift could not be used. The second time she came, I had demanded the morning aide put the sling pad on his wheelchair no matter what hubby said. He has been refusing that! Great--more frustration for me. OK so the second Sat. night the new aide used the lift and did a terrible job! She should have gotten the motorized wheelchair out of the way. I talked to her after she got all done. I will assist her tonight. I sure hope it goes better!

In 2 weeks we have a meeting about the lift. The OT,PT, doctor, and a salesman and me and DH will make a plan and from that Medicare will be asked for better equipment. I sure hope that results in something usable!

That office has been the best help we have gotten. The OT and PT have researched lifts and even bathroom equipment for us. They ordered a new wheelchair--twice!-- and have been ironing out problems there. DH had the stroke 7 years ago! I am really sick of spending most of my time dealing with all this.

The doctor has to start the process of getting things like this from Medicare. BUT.... doctors don't even know what to ask for! That is how we got the first unusable Hoyer lift. I was the one who asked the doctor and he signed the paper. But I had no idea what I was asking for. We ended up with the cheapest sling available and a very manual type lift. It is not adequate at all.

What is the simplest way to get the proper equipment from Medicare? I have not found the way!


Chris

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  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JAOTAO 3/3/2013 11:53AM

    So sorry to hear about this. Home health care and visiting nurses and equipment are hard to deal with sometimes. Praying that things turn out for you...

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JACRBUNCH 3/2/2013 11:19PM

    Hope everything turns out well tonight. emoticon

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DONNA5281 3/2/2013 9:29PM

  I am sorry to hear that you are having all of these problems.

I will say a prayer for you.

emoticon

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NASFKAB 3/2/2013 9:12PM

  sending prayers

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BELDONDOG1 3/2/2013 8:46PM

    Chris, I am so sorry that you are going through so much trouble and so many problems. Please take care of yourself. With all the lifting you've been doing, you could easily hurt yourself, and then what? Continue to ask for God's help and I know He will do whatever needs to be done. You both are in my prayers. Noel

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TONYTHETSANGEL 3/2/2013 7:43PM

    Best wishes! I really hope someone can help you get what you need for your DH. Its times like this that can be so frustrating and overwhelming. My thoughts are with you. emoticon

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ALIHIKES 3/2/2013 7:11PM

    So sorry you are facing these challenges. I know that our local hospital researched all the different lifts; not every kind is suitable for every patient. But the lifts DO reduce injuries among both patients and staff. Falling is a real risk. Good luck finding the right lift for your situation! emoticon

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1STATEOFDENIAL 3/2/2013 6:34PM

    Sounds like you have a few people helping you figure it out, but it's worthwhile to keep asking questions. Have you looked for a medical equipment store near you? If so, they might have information about items, if not actually have them in the store for you to look at.

Sometimes there is no easier way. I know the last thing you want to do is consider other housing options, but maybe that's what you have to do. There will come a time when it is no longer safe for you to be caring for him and he'll need someone else to step in. So even if you don't feel you're ready for it, at least start looking for options. Some assisted living facilities and nursing homes have waiting lists - especially the better ones - so getting onto a few waiting lists now will make it tremendously better when the time comes. Plus, if there's a chance of you living with him in a place so you can be together, you'll have to get on the waiting list together and can take even longer to get into a place. And if a spot opens up in a year and you're still not ready to go, you can probably have them offer it to the next person and still stay on the list - then it really is your decision about when to move.

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LINDAF49 3/2/2013 6:32PM

    Oh Chris ...First here is a big hug!! long and sincere!!!
Now for the lift ...I personally love the Hoyer ...used it for my Mom of two years before here death...it was rented through local medical supply house and medicare didn't blink at picking up the tab...
A key to them is a sling that fits and people trained in how to use them AND HAVE THEM EXPERIENCE BEING LIFTED IN ONE SEVERAL TIMES SO THEY KNOW THE FEELINGS AND THE VALUE OF SLOW STEADY MOVEMENTS, NOT BUMPING AND NOT DROPPING and then the sling has to be in the chair under DH but can be padded or smoothed so it should not be a conflict for him.

Oh I wish I could be in a thousand places at once - i would so love to come along side families to show, encourage and "Make the systems work" God bless you and don;t give up. More good sincere hugs and keep us posted.

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123ELAINE456 3/2/2013 6:28PM

  I would get catalogs from Medical Supply Stores and talk to Sales People and tell them what You need. Then let them show You what is available and take it from there. Try this and see what happens. God Blessings to You and Everyone. Have an Enjoyable Day. Take Care. Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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MOMKAT4310 3/2/2013 6:11PM

    I feel your pain, in a minor way. We have a Hoyer lift for one of our students, need to get him from floor to chair, from chair to changing table, from table to chair or stander, from stander to floor - it goes round and round. Lift is no good, it will not fit through door ways. And the sling is for an adult, but we are lifting a 5 year old, although he is tall and large. I really want to hear that things are getting better for you. Hugs.

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STITCH4EVER 3/2/2013 4:42PM

    SEE, THIS IS ONE OF MY BIGGEST FEARS. IF THEY CAN'T SAVE THIS LEG OF MINE, I MAY NEED HELP IN TRANSFERRING TOO AS WHEELCHAIRS WILL NOT FIT THROUGH OUR DOORWAYS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO WIDEN THEM. I AM TERRIFIED THAT I WILL END UP IN A NURSING HOME JUST BECAUSE THIS CONDO IS NOT HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE. DH SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT BEFORE HE BOUGHT IT.

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CHRISTINASP 3/2/2013 4:30PM

    I'm sorry you are dealing with so much frustration. I hope you can take a few deep breaths and count to ten when needed! Hugs.

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SANDRALEET 3/2/2013 4:15PM

    There comes the time we can not to it IDo not hurt yourself my friend You have to care for yourself to or you will not be able to look after anyone .

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TXMEMAW6 3/2/2013 4:14PM

    Oh, Chris, what a mess. I do hope that you can find the help you need. It's too bad that Medicare can't or won't step in themselves and let you know what you can get. Hope you can get the equipment you need to make your life and your DH's life easier. Hugs coming your way!

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JIGGILY 3/2/2013 3:58PM

    Sending positive thoughts your way that you may get the help your require to make both your lives more comfortable. Good luck xoxo

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NANCYPAT1 3/2/2013 3:43PM

    I don't know that there IS an easy way - if my stepmother could have gotten one, my father probably would not have ended up STAYING in bed for so long before his death. With people moving him (since he was unable to do so himself) it was so painful and he was terrified of being dropped that he finally just decided he wasn't getting out of bed any more. Good luck with your challenge. I will keep you both in my prayers.

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TERRIPAL1 3/2/2013 3:05PM

    Are you in Canada , in Quebec we have Clsc's that come to visit and help you get, the equipment and help you with DH. They come to assess your needs and provide walkers, chairs, lifters and hospital beds if necessary! Hope this helps a little! emoticon

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