My husband had several accidents a few months ago that resulted in a major decline, rehab & now Hospice. After the accident he was hospitalized and then put in rehab. He was unable to regain any of his functions before the accidents. He has lost about 15% of his body weight in 3 months is bedridden in a nursing home. Our goal is to keep him comfortable until he passes.
This week I got a call from the nursing home suggesting they give him restorative therophy because they are concerned about muscle anthrophy. Unfortunatly at this point he's slightly better than a vegable. I've never heard of this before and understand they want to move his limbs in a passive way.
Has anyone else heard of this? They're claiming it would alleviate future pain even though he's on a high dose of Moriphine now to control agitation.
Is this therapy the idea of the nursing home, or of hospice? In the condition that your husband is in, I would be concerned that they might actually increase his discomfort (and agitation) by doing this therapy.
Someone once told me that nursing homes like to do all kinds of therapy, because they can bill it separately, in addition to their regular fees. I don't know if that is true, but it sounds right.
Jan K,you are absolutely correct,The NH's are constantly pushing therapy.When they use up what Medicare allows, they know just how long before they can start again.My insurance was billed 35.oo for the therapist to adjust his wheel chair(after I paid 4500.00 for the chair.Now I com[lained because they were mincing DH's meat and he has no problem chewing,so before they will stop. therapy has to evaluate him,9 who know what rhey will charge for that)It is a rip off ,why don't the ins.co.'s complain ? I did buy a set of allen wrenches to adjust the wheelchair myself and that is working out OK.I am with him all day and can tell much better what needs done than them seeing him for 5 or 10 minutes.
Trish, I agree with what the other's have said about NH's and therapy. They absolutely know how much and what kinds of therapy they'll get paid for by Medicare/Medicaid. Why don't you call the Hospice nurse or doctor and get their opinion about the necessity for the therapy and what benefits/problems it could cause.
Curious is this a for profit or non profit Hospice provider. In either event I'd make it very clear to both the Hospice provider and to the nursing home youronly concern at this stage is provide your DH death with dignity
Thanks for all your comments. I talked to the rehab nurse and she said the cost would be covered by Medicaid. When I told her we were private pay she said Medicare would cover the cost. The hospice nurse didn't think it would hurt, but hospice & the nursing home are owned by the same corporation.
I talked to my friend who is a physical therapist and told her what they recommended. My friend said passive therapy would not do any good for my husbands current state, and questioned if money was the motive.
I've declined this option and as Marty pointed out I just want him to die with dignity.