I agree! if a place tells you NO you are not covered, pick up the phone and ask WHY! Push your insurance or medicaid or medicare rep to help you find answers. Thats horrible! :eek:

I found living in a one story home awesome! When I do have to use stairs I hold to the rail, even if its only a few. Im terrified of a fall that would end my independance.

I am kind of looking forward to the time in which I need a stair lift and I can put my laundry basket or grocery bag on it and push a button!

As far as financial help my Mom found out that very few people she knew knew anything about VA widows pension fund. It is for VA widows who have medical needs that can't be met with their present income. My Mom gets over $1000/month from this fund. It has been a godsend for us as her family that was trying to make up the difference. You have to renew it every year but it's worth it.

WIPEOUT!:cool:

I was in a hurry yesterday morning, to get out and make it to my infusion on time. It snowed the night before (imagine!) and the old man went out to get wood while I was showering.

I got out of the shower, dried and dressed, and went out to the living room to get my shoes on. I was moving fast but not running. I rounded the corner next to the woodstove and down I went.

I missed the stove and the 55 gallon fish tank by millimeters. I tucked and rolled when I realized I was going down and only got scrapes and bruises from hitting the bricks on the hearth.

The man was terrified and he should have been. He hadn't taken his shoes off when he came in and I slipped on melting snow. I'm willing to bet he doesn't ever do that again.:p

I learned how to fall years ago when taking some judo classes for exercise. It worked when I needed it to, without even thinking about it. This morning, no aches or pains, just a scrape or two and one or two small bruises! At 6'2" and a hundred and too many pounds, I am not graceful at all but taking that class taught me the basics on falling.

Look around for classes on learning how to fall. They are taught at senior centers, YMCAs, etc. They teach you how to fall, what can cause falls, simple exercises that improve balance and coordination, and how to avoid falls. I bet some of you could even teach them!:)

I forgot one of the basic tenets yesterday-SLOW DOWN!

Tip to avoid falls:


Make sure all cats are out from underfoot before turning and walking! :rolleyes: It never fails.......I forget to look down and one of the cats winds up getting kicked or their tail stepped on. You'd think they'd learn to get out of my way! :rolleyes:

Cats do it on purpose...lol:D

I know.......I heard them snickering about it when they thought I wasn't listening. :mad:

They won't think it's so funny if I land ON them! :eek:

I too learned how to fall in ballet school, when young. It is possible that thisi was one reason I was not hurt worse when I fell down the stairs and broke my kneecap. I fell a long way with "only" that injury. Some older people would have have several breaks, I think. I hit my head really hard on the opposite wall, in this fall, and it must be my tough
skull that kept me from concussion or fracture.

I did call Medicare and they agreed that nursing home was not allowed
for broken knee cap. I don't know HOW the second hospital got this
opinion reversed...maybe because I had had a TIA. But if side issues
like that change the situation, why did not my co-morbidities change it?
Age, several other serious diagnoses, etc.? I can only believe that the
first hospital must have some agreement to restrict care in as many
diagnoses as possible, to save money for the gov't, and for that they
get certain benefits (who could guess what ones). The hospital in
question was a large university teaching hospital which has a sign
up in front of it saying they are one of the "Ten Best Hospitals in America".
I think they DID do a great job gluing my knee together, but they have
compartmentalized aftercare from immediate care. The old fashioned
compassionate nurses of lore are phased out by "efficiency".