A Rant About Home Health Care

[kittytech]

Hey everybody. I just got done with my OT appointment a little while ago
and something she said really got me thinking. I will have two more
appointments with her next week and that'll be the end of things. The thing
that really bothers me though is this.

There are so many people out there who are abusing the system, trying to get
something for nothing, and collect on debts that they feel they're owed for
whatever reason. I've seen this in all sorts of situations, not just
medical, and it's always really bothered me because it makes it so much more
difficult for those that really could benefit from the services.

Then there's the illogical way home healthcare is actually set up. There
are regulations that have to be met in order to qualify for services. For
example, if I'd been able to independently travel outside of my home over
the last four weeks they would have immediately stopped my therapy sessions.
So does this mean that if I choose to go out with someone, using a
wheelchair no less, that I'm considered mobile enough? Let's then look at
the in-home care itself. I am able to get in and out of bed, bathe myself,
and get myself dressed. Great, right? Wrong. Because I am able to do this
stuff, I don't qualify for any sort of home aid; someone to come in and help
with meals, do dishes or laundry, things like that. The logic that's being
used here just doesn't add up. So I can get in and out of the shower by
myself, and I can pull on clothes. But how exactly is that going to be
useful when I have no clean clothes to wear, or no more meals in my freezer.
Oh yeah, but I'm more than welcome to pay for someone to come in and help
me. That makes all the difference. Please don't misunderstand me here. I
don't have an issue paying for services, it's the fact that I can't pay for
services at the moment. It's one of those catch 22 situations that seem to
be all too prevalent these days.

I took a walk to the garbage chute and then outside during my session this
morning. When I got back here I had to sit down for a few minutes because I
was so drained. I noticed that I was starting to have problems processing
words again, which happens after that kind of exertion. This, friends and
neighbors, is why I haven't gone back to work. Tomorrow I am going to go do
an onsite evaluation for a potential job site. I don't know how long it's
going to go, but I'm supposed to install Window-Eyes onto a computer and
test some software. This is going to mean lots of sitting, coordination,
and concentration. Please everyone, wish me luck with this tomorrow.

Anyway, end of rant. I just had the urge to explain the convoluted system
that we seem to have here. Clear as mud now? Great, I thought so. More
later!

Comments

[masterofmusings.livejournal.com]

You're right in everything you say here. As for the home care, I suppose it's like just about every other bureaucracy: things have to be either all or nothing, very little halfway-in-between stuff. So many things have to follow a cookie-cutter formula. The problem on the other side, and I'm not saying this justifies it, is that every degree of flexibility adds to the cost exponentially, in terms of administration. With unions reigning supreme in many of these bureaucratic environments, the cost gets added to exponentially again because of certain guarantees of exclusivity and the like to the members. Die-hard conservatives will say cut, cut, cut. Die-hard liberals will suggest taking money from "the unimportant things" and redistributing it, except that what's unimportant to me may be vitally important to you, and vice versa. So the bureaucratic nightmare continues, and innocent people like you get caught in the middle. *HUGS*

[brighid0704.livejournal.com]

I've never dealt with in-home health, so can't really say much about it, other than that I'm really sorry you're having a hard time. I wish things were easier for you.

Thanks so much for your offer of help with the Pacmate. The things gives me fits most of the time. I'll honestly be glad to get rid of it. Lol. I am grateful I had it though, as it's definitely better than the now defunct Braille Lite.

Best of luck to you tomorrow. I hope things go well.

Tomorrow.

[punster1.livejournal.com]

Hey Caroline,
I know you can't answer back due to confidentiality restrictions, but I'm guessing the appointment to which you are refering is mine. However, you probably heard by now that the company moved it to next Tuesday. All I want to say is that if you don't feel up to it, please do not force yourself to be there. I know you want to get back to work, but don't push yourself if you are not ready. Just take things one step at a time. I also really hope you get some kind of in home help soon.

Re: Tomorrow.

[kittytech.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks. I had a message on my cell about the change but hadn't checked it. Oops. I'll write you privately though with more information.