In Home Evaluation

[Guest guest]

My doctor ordered an in home evluation from a phisical therapist and an occupational therapist. I don' t realy know what to expect. Is there anything I should know before they come or anything I should ask or find out?????????? Connie

[Guest guest]

Hi Connie,

These are the things I did prior to the visit. I made a list of

things I thought we would need in the near future, or needed

immediately. That was from the caregiver point of view. Then I

asked Jerry the same thing and although he wasn't quite sure of

anything he did agree with the things on my list. I also read all

the posts and went on the internet to look at some of the equipment

people mentioned. Next, I sat by myself and quietly relived my day

as a caregiver and identified areas in which I felt either I was in

jeopardy of injury or that Jerry was at risk. I noted these because

I knew the PT could possibly help with ideas to keep us both safe.

Then I watched Jerry for one day and kept a notepad close by, noting

things that were more difficult for him to do, such as holding a fork

while eating. These things I knew the OT would have suggestions for.

Since the disease seems to be progressing very fast I also wrote

questions down for both the OT and PT with regards to re-evaluation,

what they anticipated I would be needing next and what to look for

with regards to current equipment becoming an at risk item. An

example, we at one point would transfer from wheelchair to shower

bench. Queston asked: What do you watch for so you don't have to

have a fall before discovering that transfer is no longer safe. I

asked them what equipment they thought would be necessary in the

future so I could plan for it, especially items that the insurance

company would not cover because I could be watching the newspaper for

used items. So far the only thing my insurance company flatly

refuses to cover is mobility items used outside the home such as

vehicle lifts, etc. Their last visit resulted in a Rojo air cushion

for Jerry's wheelchair, a wheeled shower chair and a slide board for

transfer. They also returned when the equipment had been delivered

to make sure it was correct and we knew how to use it correctly. I

would insist they do this if they don't offer. Knowing how to use

the equipment properly is very important. It seems we need to see

someone for re-evaluation every 6 months because the disease

progresses to the point where we need different equipment than

before. Hope all of this helps.....Main part of the Message....Write

it down, write it down, write it down. You will never remember all

your questions and concerns when they are there.

Jan

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> My doctor ordered an in home evluation from a phisical therapist

and an occupational therapist. I don' t realy know what to expect.

Is there anything I should know before they come or anything I should

ask or find out?????????? Connie

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Connie, so glad that you took my advice and are getting the

evaluation...perhaps it will lead to some therapy...I hope so. From

our experience, the therapist will test to see what your capablities

and limitations are at this time....they may not know what you will

need later but probably will have some Idea....We found it helpful

also to give them all the imformation you can about what you would

like to be able to do for yourself that you have difficulty

accomplishing right now...such as brushing your hair or using the

computer etc....With we explained that he wanted to give his own

shower even though he only had use of one hand....We asked how he

could get out of bed by himself given the weakness in the left side

and things like that. And please don't forget to ask them about the

size and appropiateness of your power chair. You might want to make

a list before they come of things you want to remember to ask or tell

them. I think some written material you've obtained from this sight

would be good to have printed off to explain what your condition

is...I always stressed with that it was not a stroke even though

it appears that way to them at the time; and that it was progressive.

I stressed that we didn't want to be redoing things over and

over.....example :we asked " even though he can help with the shower

now...what adjustments need to be made for when he can not help. As a

result, we had grab bars placed for him holding on when he still

could stand, and bars lower for when he needed to sit for the shower

and, AT THE SAME TIME, we took the tub completely out and now it is

much easier to roll his commode/shower chair right into the shower.

Let us know how it goes...Annette---

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> My doctor ordered an in home evluation from a phisical therapist

and an occupational therapist. I don' t realy know what to expect.

Is there anything I should know before they come or anything I should

ask or find out?????????? Connie

>

>

>

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