When I talk to both women and men about my recent experiences ushering my mother through our medical system, I find I get three reactions. They either have “been there, done that.” Or, they are going through it right now. Or, they put their fingers in their ears and start humming because they don’t want to face it.

I am continuing to write about my mother’s health saga because I fervently hope that because most of us WILL need to be an advocate for a parent, the information I share will help in some way.

For those of you who have been following my chronicle of my mother’s health saga, she is indeed “moving on” but not what you might think. Since her release from St. Francis Acute Rehab in San Francisco, she has been working hard in physical and occupational therapy, Mom teases them about what “task masters” they are. But, they have worked very closely with her to make sure that she progresses, gets stronger and learns how to do things differently and safely.

We all thought she would require an assisted living environment with enhanced assistance. But, when I visited last week and watched her move, wheel herself around and walk, it occurred to me for the first time that perhaps Mom had progressed to the point where she might be able to go to an “independent” living environment vs. an “assisted” living environment. With the cost of medical care now and because Mom’s family is “long lived,” we are trying our best to stretch Mom’s money as long as possible.

Typical of my hero, Dr. Engstrom, Director of Neurology at UCSF, he returned my phone call on a SATURDAY and let me know that based on Mom’s progress, an independent (or residential) environment should be fine.

As a result I contacted http://www.APlaceForMom.com, a free service that helps match your parent’s needs to the best possible living environment. Within hours, Marjorie had returned my email, followed up with a phone call, and recommended two places to check out. She also called the facilities, gave them my contact information. Each facility called me to make an appointment and within two days I had toured each site. What a wonderful service…painless, productive, pleasant and best of all, EASY.

Before making a decision I took Mom to tour the facility I liked the best and she agreed that it was indeed lovely. We’ll move her in when her doctors and the physical therapists allow it. They are still working hard with her to make sure she is as strong as possible.

This has been a truly miraculous recovery and one that it “took a village” of medical pros and their staff to deal with. There have been up times and down times, lots of frustration worry, and stress. But, the bottom line is after fully losing the use of her legs and facing a very dim future, she is now able to jet around on her walker with a little help. Thank you to all.

Mom’s Healthcare Heroes (a growing list):

Dr. John Engstrom, Director of Neurology, UCSF
Dr. Michael Ward, UCSF
Dr. Robert Layzer, Emeritus Professor, UCSF
Dr. Robert Schaefer, Santa Rosa
Silvia Michalek, Nurse Manager to Dr. Robert Schaefer
Michele Tapiro, Director of Social Services, Apple Valley Care & Rehab, Sebastopol, CA
Tammy Geide, Occupational Therapist, Apple Valley Rehab
Brian Eagleson, Physical Therapist, Apple Valley Rehab
Christy Cooper, Au.D. Kaiser
Kathy Raubertas, Community Relations Director, Sunrise Senior Living Santa Rosa, CA
Rob Komorowski, Manager Sunrise Senior Living, Santa Rosa
Tim Wong, Physical Therapist, Saint Francis Acute Rehab, San Francsico