Advocating for My Dad

Hebrews 6: 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

We had a physical therapist who was nice enough. Unfortunately, she put forth minimal effort, because she had already predetermined what my dad's medical condition was. She released my dad after about four weeks of treatment. When my dad was falling more frequently, he was re-evaluated for additional physical therapy services.

I tend to have a difficult time asserting myself with others, but realized that having the same physical therapist wasn't a good fit for my dad. I asked the evaluating RN if there's any way that my dad could have another physical therapist. I was surprised and pleased when they made the arrangements for my dad to have a different physical therapist.

We have been so blessed by having this new physical therapist. He pushed my dad to work a little harder to regain his strength. He assisted us with feedback to give the neurologist about a particular medication my dad was taking to see if it helped him regain his ability to walk. He allowed me to text him with questions related to my dad's falls, etc. He helped get a referral for a ramp and a transport chair, so my dad wouldn't have to be housebound.

This person genuinely cared that my dad made progress and didn't just put in his time and dash out the door. This physical therapist answered questions and provided his feedback, opinions and advice in many situations. He worked with my dad when he had become almost totally wheelchair bound and now my dad is walking primarily with his walker. I am so glad that God gave me the instinct to advocate for my dad's getting a new physical therapist. Hebrews 6: 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.


Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Caregiving Video: Physical Therapy-Improving Balance and Preventing Falls
By: MoveForwardPT via You Tube

Power Struggles Over Food

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22

 With my dad being so much underweight, I used to try to tell him why he shouldn't be skipping meals and that he needed to have at least two nutrition drinks a day, as the doctor recommended. I could see my dad squirrel up his face every time I imparted this wise advice, which was very disheartening to me. Additionally, it turned out very counterproductive, because he quite often was eating only one meal as if to let me know who was in charge of his eating!

 Being prayerful about this situation, the idea in my mind, which is often how God works in my life, was that I should be happy whenever he eats at least two meals. God created a compromise situation for both my dad in me with this. 

 I told my dad that I wouldn't mention anything to him about eating, if he eats at least two meals a day. I still try to tempt him with other foods, since he is significantly underweight, but I don't make a big deal about it if he declines the food. I feel very blessed to have this time with my dad! Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Caregiving Video: F-Tag 373, Feeding Assistance: A Video Training Guide
By: HC Pro via You Tube

The Second Best Christmas Present Ever!

And she brought forth her firstborn son [Jesus], and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

 Now, that was the best Christmas present ever! This one was pretty special though! It may seem strange to you to be reading about Christmas presents in the middle of summer, but I'm writing the vast majority of these posts ahead and will schedule them to come out at a later date. Actually, it's New Years Eve 2014.

We called two of our grown children in another state and told them that due to my dad's health condition, we wouldn't be able to drive to their state to see them at Christmas as we usually do. We offered to meet them half way, which one son took us up on.

The other son, his wife, and their son let us in for the surprise of our lives! They told us that they understood about the difficulty traveling for my dad and that they had decided to come to our state for Christmas, so that we could spend Christmas together. I guess, it's the Second best Christmas present ever!

They came and we had wonderful time together. We had outings, we had food, we had mini adventures to a local children's museum and they got to spend time with other family, as well. It was fantastic! What was even more significant than that was the thoughtfulness of this family to come several states away to be here with us, so I didn't have to take my dad out on a long trip. It just melted my heart and brings tears to my eyes every time I think of what a wonderful gift of love they shared with us when they did this. We are truly blessed by our family and all those who got to spend extra time with my dad. And she brought forth her firstborn son [Jesus], and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7


Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Medicare Has Been a Blessing to Us!

Matthew 6: 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I unsuccessfully tried to hire someone on my own to help my dad with exercises. Fortunately, this same individual told me how to take my dad to the doctor and have him referred for Medicare services. There wasn't really a lot of red tape on our end. We had a Medicare approved RN come out and evaluate my dad to see what his needs were.

He had been losing his ability to walk independently and Medicare through an approved Home Health Agency provided a Physical Therapist. I wanted to make sure that my dad was able to safely use our shower, although he wanted his privacy in this matter. Medicare provided limited services with an Occupational Therapist to make sure that my dad could perform routine actions including bathing safely.

Because my dad had been in the hospital several times moving here, Medicare provided an approved Home Health Nurse who meets with my dad weekly. He has been able to talk directly to my dad where no one else had been successful, especially about his skipping meals. Even the dietitian that was provided couldn't get through to my dad the way this nurse could.

When my dad's walking and ability to care for himself declined further, they provided an Home Health Aide who shaves and bathes my dad twice a week. She has been able to help him keep his self-respect. I couldn't lift the wheelchair donated from the KWVA into the car for doctor's appointments and Medicare provided a lighter weight transport chair for him. I hear people complain about Medicare and I really can't understand why, because Medicare has been a blessing to us! Matthew 6: 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:


Pie, Pie, Pie and more Pie!

Matthew 6: 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

My dad is a very particular eater. He doesn't want any food too often. He doesn't like most vegetables, but he does like pie. Well, my husband caught on to my dad's love of pie and started buying pies every time he found one discounted. It seemed that we had pie almost every day for months!

I found some things out about the pie. If I put it on the table while he has his regular food he will stop eating his meal and will immediately start eating his pie. Well, that was counterproductive, so I quickly learned to not bring the pie out until after his meal was over. Additionally, if I gave him pie to snack on in the afternoon, he would fill up on that and wouldn't eat any dinner. With how thin my dad is, every additional calorie is of prime importance.

I'm very glad that we've found something that pleases my dad, but we have to watch the timing of giving it to him. It makes both my husband and me very happy to please my dad, but still try to balance his meals as much as we can. Matthew 6: 25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Caregiving Video:Basic Nutrition Advice: Nutrition Tips for Seniors
By: Dietitian Charlotte Lawson on ehowhealth via You Tube

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