Last Friday, at 4 am I got a call from my 88 year old mother that my 89 year old father had fallen and was in the emergency room. Turns out he has a urinary tract infection, and is doing well although still not real steady on his feet.
 
This Sunday afternoon during my visit with him, the urologist told us that the infection was now clear and that my father could be discharged tomorrow. I told the doctor that my father still could not walk - how could he go home? Shouldn't he go to rehab?
 
The doctor agreed that this was a good idea. During the balance of the afternoon, three more treating physicians agreed with me that transfer to rehab was a good idea.
 
So my question to all of you is "What would happen if I was not an elder law attorney and did not know what to ask or what to suggest?" Would he be sent home? Would they have suggested rehab without me asking?
 
When families come to us for legal help with their long term care issues, Medicaid or Veteran's benefits applications or any of the other services we provide we always educate them about how to be a better advocate. But today made me think; how do we reach the families out there who need help in navigating the health care world for themselves and their parents, and who we have not been able to touch and coach?
 
So I am truly asking for your help. All of us have different experiences and all of us can learn from each other. Please help me help my dad and other families in this situation. Email me with any ideas, stories, lessons and experiences you have to help families advocate in our healthcare world so that we can help educate the public and make a difference is other families lives.
 
Please email me at: alice@florida-elderlaw.com. Thanks. I'll keep you posted.

 

 

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