Hi to all,

Dads recovery continues as we discussed on Sunday. I met with two of his therapists on Tuesday and tried to understand the criteria they use to evaluate his progress for Medicare’s participation. Essentially it is totally based on his physical capabilities to perform ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living.) These include his ability to do things like dress himself, move about his environment, use the bathroom, eat, etc. There is no evaluation of his mental progress used in their decision. It is obvious that Medicare rules with an iron fist and that the therapists must be able to document significant progress on a weekly basis. The pressure seems to be directly proportional to the length of time that he has been in rehabilitative therapy. The expectation is that he will either progress to the point that he no longer needs therapy or plateau and consequently no longer qualify on a very rapid trajectory. As of Tuesday, they thought he would be at that plateau and need to be released about the end of next week. I asked them to work to practice with Dad the specific skills he needs to see if he can qualify for a little longer. Time will tell if that happens.
An assistant admissions person at the center gave me the information that I conveyed on Sunday about choices there, and it now appears that I need to talk to the lead person. There may be some latitude in what the fees will be and the opportunity to stay in the same room. I will update that in my next message.
The occupational therapist is going to meet with Seth, Dad and I (and any of you who want to be there) at the Provo house to make recommendations of modifications needed at Dad’s home to accommodate his needs.
Seth has agreed to be available most week afternoons to stay longer (between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.) He needs you to let him know what your desires are so he can let his wife know when he will be home. Please call him at 801-696-3652 to tell him what schedule you would like to have him plan on for most of the nights you will be there. If there needs to be a change in this ‘normal’ schedule, call him for a specific day to modify your needs. I let him know who will be with Dad each evening, so from you long term plan he will know in advance what to plan on.