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.

Hi Family,

The last three days have continued to be relatively good ones for Dad. He is still tired for extended periods of the day, but when he is awake he carries on good conversations. He doesn’t usually initiate new topics, but joins in the conversation. He obviously enjoys visits from the family and especially seems to respond to young ones. He doesn’t relish the walks to the dining room, but does fairly well. He remains quite weak.

Friday evening he was not willing to take his medicines again. Jason and the nurse tried several ways to convince him to take them to no avail. I suggested that he put Don’s CD on and let him relax for 10-15 minutes before he tried again, but as it turned out Mariasha and Quinton came to visit and Mariasha was able to convince him to take them.
On Friday night when I was with him for a while, he asked me to find his watch and ring. To the best of my knowledge that is the first time he has recognized that he doesn’t have them (as you know he was never without them other than when bathing or sleeping.) I explained that they were at my home waiting for him, and he didn’t ask again. Karlene told him that she would like to take him outside to look at the rose garden. Later when they were outside, he asked where the rose garden was without any promptings. He obviously has a very difficult time seeing anything most of the time. Even when he tries, he has difficulty recognizing things and even people. He has tried to see things occasionally when I have been there without promptings, and says something to the effect that he can’t get his eyes to work right.

He is not able to go for extended periods without oxygen, but is only on ½ unit of oxygen to bring his level up to 92-93. You will remember that we have an appointment with Dr. Watkins on Tuesday at 2:00 pm. None of you have indicated an intent to be there yet, but I would still welcome items that you would like to have discussed with the Doctor.

The schedule for the next couple of weeks as it stands now:
Monday morning and afternoon – Seth
Monday evening – Karl
Tuesday morning and afternoon – Seth
Tuesday evening – Sallie
Wednesday morning and afternoon – Seth
Wednesday evening – Marlene
Thursday morning and afternoon – Seth
Thursday evening – Randy
Friday morning and afternoon – Seth
Friday evening – Open
10/9 - Saturday morning – Open
Saturday afternoon – Open
Saturday evening – Open
Sunday morning – Open
Sunday afternoon – Open
Sunday evening – Open
Monday morning and afternoon – Seth
Monday evening – Open
Tuesday morning and afternoon – Seth
Tuesday evening – Open
Wednesday morning and afternoon – Seth
Wednesday evening – Open
Thursday morning and afternoon – Seth
Thursday evening – Open
Friday morning and afternoon – Seth
Friday evening – Open
10/16 - Saturday morning – Karlene
Saturday afternoon – Karlene
Saturday evening – Open
Sunday morning – Karlene
Sunday afternoon -- Karlene
Sunday evening – Open

Thanks for all you are doing to support Dad. I love you,
Martin