Re: Americans with Disabilities for Gore

[nancy <ds401@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This isn't by any means a negative or blasting of anyone , but only
reality. SOmething to think about , not pity anyone.

Transportation = $1000. credit.   Transportation companies that
transport disabled, handicapped individuals. ONE trip = 110. round trip
.  Medicaid pays for it or it use to if the patient was going to a
medical doctor.

Home Health aides=  severe shortage= haven't had on in a week
Can't complain to much or they drop u from the government program and if
ya can't stay home alone where does everyone thing u end up???

These commitments are great for the disabled  or handicapped who  are do
not have chronic illnesses/diseases.  The government can't possibly pay
for most of the monthly needs  for the ill.  It is so costly, people
can't believe it until they are totally dependent or care for someone
who is.  Home health aides are $16. per hour. Do people actually think
that the government is going to pay out 16 per hour for one patient when
they can hire one aide for 6 patients for 16 bucks an hour?? Families
are working to pay the hha costs, and medical things that insurance and
the government don't think are necessary or can't afford to pay.

Read about the limits of what assets and income a person can have in
order to get assistance. Look at the length of time it takes to get
approved to get in a government program, look at how long it takes to
get a needed item approved for funding then purchase to receiving it.

Think about....

Medicare and medicaid are extremely slow in paying the bills.
There are people out here waiting almost a year for a wheelchair.
If a patient can't eat and they live at home, they pay for the
nutritional supplements.$190. to $240. a month.  It may be different for
seniors on Passport or medicare.

Training. Does anyone know the amount of training a HHA or nursing
assistant goes through?? Ask the agencies what they require. Ask the
agency what their policy is if the hha car breaks down. Some very rare
pay for a cab or someone goes to the hha home and picks them up.  DO NOT
give the HHA gas money. If u feel compelled to IRS gives about .33 a
mile and sometimes the agencies pay bonus or mileage monthly. Ask the
agency. Have a schedule typed up using the care plan of the agency. This
way when a sub shows up they know what to do. It is in writing. Do not
all for the ' I am hear to make u happy. what is it that u want me to
do?' Usually a clean bathroom, clean clothes, food, drink, bath and
range of motion makes me happy. Common sense I thought, maybe not:)

Do not sign for hours that the HHA is not there. Some patients  do this
because of fear of not having the aide at all. They would rather have
the person come late than not at all and/or be labeled a demanding
patient. I have been told many times how the elderly are so nice because
they let u watch T.V. or read when your work is done. I reply when your
work is done then u can go home or yes I like CNN. This curtails the
patient from sleeping all afternoon and staying awake all night:) Some
do like CNN and the news can lead to stimulating conversations.

Lunch hour and 2 breaks are given each day.

When the patient finds a good HHA, treat that person with respect. They
are not maids! not companions. A responsible and good HHA works
extremely hard.  They are the employee. Maintain that employee/employer
partnership.  Make sure they take a vacation or scheduled time off to
prevent caregiver burnout.

I am trying to say - live life, don't be angry or disappointed about the
things that u will have to give up or compromise. When a patient needs
care they usually choose an agency, then the agency sends an aide when
one will take the case or when the agency has an aide.  Fact- aides
don't always show up. Fact legally ur family is the primary caregiver,
so no aide and they expect ur spouse to take off of work at that minute.
I know of a patient whose spouse took off 7 days now within 20 work
days. Easy to say get another aide, those who say that generally haven't
gone through the process.

There are many government programs to assist with the costs, and find
the aide.  Unfortunately, there is a shortage of aides.   Some aides are
now getting 12 to 14 dollars an hour in the nursing homes, Home health
aides that come to ur home generally make 7-10 per hour. The HHA's that
work in the nursing homes sometimes give up the health insurance
benefits to make more per hour.   There maybe a day that u don't have
care because there isn't someone available. The money may be there , but
not the person. Money doesn't solve care issues, people do.

The above tips are just that. No government can enforce the tips, only
the patient, family, and the caregiver can.  Laws are needed, but people
have to enforce them.

Noone wants someone to be ill or disabled. Noone likes to see people go
without care. We are all human.  Don't wait for the government to help
someone, just take it upon urself to help that person. A phone call
every week, give the family a break and visit with the patient weekly,
bring nutritional supplement or a casserole, bring in their mail for
them, batteries for their taperecorder/cd, play cards with them in
person or over the computer, get them out of their homes for a ride or
sit on the porch. Make sure their ramps are functional in their homes.
If u physically can't fix things help them find someone who will. People
generally will not tell you what they need.

No these gestures don't pay the medical bills or cure illnesses, but
neither can the government totally.  What constitutes 'not being able to
afford health insurance??If a person thinks that they will never have to
rely on the government when they are ill, then they need a reality
check.

Has anyone ever heard of a 15, 20 million dollar lottery winner starting
a program to fund some medicine for people, or scholarship programs for
chronically ill children (most scholarships are based on income not
medical expenses), for example.  not saying there isn't any, I am
asking. If there is then let people know, so they may get some help.


Most of what I suggested don't require government budget cutting or
increase in taxes, just an act of kindness from someone else.

Remember this isn't directed at any one individual. In lieu of replies,
spend ur time giving an act of kindness. thanks!

nancy:)

Greg Sterling wrote:
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> Gore's committment to people with disabilities.
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>