The hospice visit

Things are settling down a bit here. Mom seems to be recuperating somewhat from the stroke. She has gotten a little bit of strength back in her left hand but still cant stand up or hold her weight at all. She is still speaking a little funny but her mind is clear (as clear as it was before all this, anyway) and she is talkative when awake. The nurse said that a stroke will make you sleepy so that is why she has spent so much time sleeping in the last two days.

Hospice is going to be a huge help. they will supply anything we need including hospital bed and that kind of thing. They also have volunteers who will come over to talk to the patient and keep them company in case we want to go out or just need a break. They have a 24 hour phone line so you can call them at any time and they will help you over the phone or send a nurse. Doctors and nurses come to your house instead of us going to them. Medicare pays for the whole thing. No wonder they are running out of money.

So hopefully we are in for a quiet few weeks while we settle in. We have found a caregiver that comes highly recommended and she can start any time. I think that we will be splitting the time between her and Jerry so my Mom still gets to talk to him but she gets different professional care in the afternoon. That might work out perfectly.