Managing appointments when bedridden

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GilWest

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Lost a loved one
Diagnosis
01/2014
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US
State
WV
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Southern
How do you manage appointments when bedridden? I am thinking about calling one of mom's specialists and seeing if she can be admitted to the medical center where they all practice so she can be seen by them without the traveling by ambulance and waiting rooms. Do you guy have any ideas?
 
I am fortunate to have a mobile doctor that comes to the house. My pals is on a vent and bedridden. I have had to hire an ambulance service, which can be expensive. The 25 miles to his ALS doctors takes it toll on him. The last time we went to have his trach change, in October, took him 4 days to get over. I am one lucky CALS!

Debbie
 
Medicare pays for the ambulance rides for mom.
 
I don't think admitting to hospital would be allowed for that reason. If she happened to end up there you might be able to get them to see her? But the reason she was there might interfere with evaluation. How many specialists are you talking about? And does she REALLY need to see them? A lot of specialists ( and primary physicians too) have people on automatic 3 or 6 month follow ups. It may be mostly a blood test or EKG that could be done where she is. Things like podiatry can be done where she is. To be brutal about it when you have ALS there are some things you don't have to worry about anymore because the ALS will get us first
And if you go to an ALS clinic you should be able to see all the ALS related people in one day. Yes a tough day
 
GilWest, you are correct about Medicare coverage for the ambulance but I was told it was for a hospital setting. His ALS
Clinic is in a hospital. His ENT also has a private office which I was quoted as $996 for a 50 mile round trip. Long story short had him change trach in the hospital location.

Debbie
 
I don't think admitting to hospital would be allowed for that reason. If she happened to end up there you might be able to get them to see her? But the reason she was there might interfere with evaluation. How many specialists are you talking about? And does she REALLY need to see them? A lot of specialists ( and primary physicians too) have people on automatic 3 or 6 month follow ups. It may be mostly a blood test or EKG that could be done where she is. Things like podiatry can be done where she is. To be brutal about it when you have ALS there are some things you don't have to worry about anymore because the ALS will get us first
And if you go to an ALS clinic you should be able to see all the ALS related people in one day. Yes a tough day

She will probably end up there because I do not think her secretions are being managed well enough at the nursing home. She is constantly clearing her throat and they are not allowed to suction deep enough to get to it. She needs one more good once over to satisfy me. I think I will call and talk to the palliative care doctor she saw when getting the feeding tube and see what they suggest. ALS Clinic is a 4-hour ambulance ride away. She would never make it.
 
Gil,
As others have said, a palliative care program can probably meet her needs at this point. An ALS clinic should not be necessary. You might check to see what specialists locally have privileges at the SNF she is in, e.g. neurology and/or pulmonology. They can write orders for deeper suctioning or whatever is needed. If they are not ALS-savvy, they can consult with someone at the clinic. The clinic may also have suggestions about local clinicians with whom they have worked. As you say, the palliative care doc should be able to coordinate.
 
Agree that palliative care or hospice will provide or make arrangements for everything she needs. My hubby has decided not to visit the clinic / hospital again, as it is too tiring. And it's not like anything can be done to stop this disease. So he prefers to just enjoy his days as best as he can without the stress of appointments that don't make a difference in his life expectancy. Hang in there - and get the support or help from those who come to you! (Palliative or hospice!)
 
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