straight talk

Might You Someday Need Home Health Care; Well Don't Be Too Smug and Read This?



Posted: Sunday, August 16, 2009

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Well the first thing high on your agenda is for you to always be alert that this situation can come on you suddenly without warning. Yes and also be aware of these so called agencies of help, be they state or private. It is too late once your in need. Why do I mention that, well there is no replacement for experience and sadly I am living it for over 5 years now are as millions all across this nation. Now that is not to say many are receiving excellent care. Yet that service and response varied drastically with what state you live in. Yes here in Florida and some other southern states what many presume is just not so. What is talked is not what is delivered. So if you live in one of these southern states don't buy the marketing.

Now many may call what I write to complaining, no, in my opinion these types don't have much thought processes anyway and look at intent in a negative light. It is best to dismiss them immediately. No the only reason I write is to give others an opportunity to know first hand what is reality. You see many just don't "complain" they just live with it all and frankly it just propagates more of the same falling onto someone else. It has a name called, apathy. Yes and when someone is complaining there is something at the root and not many are hearing that.

Now keep in mind at all times that these government and private agencies operate off of money, tax payer money and they are not short in trying to get your loved one permanently into their facility. The state, well in my opinion, totally incompetent yet they are wrapped in sheep skin and laws. Now I will say that the elderly need to be protected and it is good to be prudent and watchful. Yet they can go to the extremes and then again in the case of private business they more then likely turn a blinds eye. Sure they talk of having to respond, the law, the penalties, etc, all meaningless because 9 times out of 10, a whitewash letter. They talk about a patient advocate who is also meaningless and most of the time these patient advocates are on the payroll of the very same organizations they are supposed to be observing. So the system is overwhelmed by a lack of money and resources, people and a real lack pf quality people, caring people and they hire the very lowest paid they can get, bring in green card and offshore help, fact. That is except at the higher levels of management or professional staff who get paid exceedingly well. Oh and yes, if in a home your own doctor may not even treat your loved one, another fact.

Now in all my experiences over five years I can tell you by fact there is very little, and I'll use the word of this century next to "unfortunately", "qualified" help. Now I didn't say degreed or certified by law. Yes in many cases they can't deliver on what they promise. Then again that is if you can even get help. Many of the help are "retrained" unemployed who don't want the job in the first place just work. Some are retired nurses who are, filling in the gaps, part time, for extra money and instead of respite you better be on your toes because anyone of them can make a statement and cause you a world of hurt. Oh and those so called insurance policies" many are dependent on for in home care, well you'll wake up once you need it.

Now in my experience each and every time my loved one went into a "professional" organization theyhad to come home to be brought back from the disaster created. Yes a very strong statement. Infections of every source from a bacterial, to viral, to fungal as well as bed sores and wounds, bruises and scrapes and even worse yet increased dementia and fear. Yes all defined as "normal" for people "their age". However, they really have no answers after they come home and all that is no longer a question. Skin clear, sores healed no more infections. Dementia significantly reduced all at the hands of a loved one who is non trained, non medical certified, wow, that is hard for them to swallow. I call it care, real care. Their answer, "well they are in their own environment", really! I'll buy that but what about all the rest?

Now as for their so called "respite" for the care giver, that is nursing, CNA services, ok anything is better then nothing but are they for real? Yes and while they let a person lay in their waste hours, "because they just don't have enough people," let you do that once and the state will be all over you for abuse. Hypocrites and phonies in my opinion are the words to describe most of them. Thank God not all, but most. I have experienced the very good, few and far in-between but there and the majority who should not be working in this field. Yes and I have asked them not to send those trouble makers to my home any longer. You'll know them ASAP by their arrogance, approach, choice of words and appraisals and treatment. Yes and each time the repeated "perhaps you should think about placing your family member with us?" Really, after what I just went through I would place my family member with you? Now some have no choice. In fact I may be reaching that point soon. That will mean many and multiple un-announced trips to check up, another strain on the family.

Now in my situation we have arrived at Hospice. Basically a monitoring, make you comfortable, no further medical help until you go. What does that take, now note this carefully, they have reached the point your doctor states there in nothing else that medicine can do. It basically says we will pay for comfort. Now this is the gist of all the questions concerning "Health Care". Yes let's review those two words and the last most significantly, Health, your physical and mental well being and care, the methods applied to achieve maximum "health care". In my case this last doctor I trusted explicitly. It was not easy to accept but yet I had to make that choice.The prior 6 or 7, nice people but more in it for the money. "After all your family member has lived a long life what do you want me to do?" This one doctor did all he could until he reached that point. They brought her to that point by a slow and lack of attention, a big difference. Yes even with age a factor.

So we already know home care realities as defined above. We know there are serious problems in the private care sector as defined above. We already know that major cuts are coming and already being applied across the board for elderly and other care, fact. I know by the nature of medicines, supplies and visits money is not there.

Now here is the kicker. Many that have money and insurance truly feel this is not an issue for them. They ignore it. Well let me say this and I pray I am wrong, but there might come a day when your loved one [and mine lost everything she had saved to the penny] needs help as well as you and you are not prepared for that doctors note. Then you just may grasp what all the fuss is about? Yes and I use the word may" because I doubt it. In your apathy it matters not. I do hope I'm wrong and this provided a real life experience view of the reality of care today.

No, not a complaint, an attempt to help someone else grasp what they might have to go through. Yes and not to promote fear but preparedness.

2009 Robert T. Melaccio, Sr. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

I can also be read on realconsiderations.blogspot.com



Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Kuzek Soulive
 2 years 104 days ago.
5 fans.
Very Good Reminder!, Roberto

I'm turning 42 and still got many issues to fix. Times past by so fast that can only hope things will turn out good as planned.
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