The sugar maple; gangly after losing two huge limbs in the past 4 years, but still beautiful. It’s always the first tree to shed all its leaves.
Intersecting maples in the back yard.
Even the poison ivy looks good.
The deep red of the sumac.
Right outside the kitchen, another glorious maple.
Leaves congregating in the birdbath.
• Dad update: We found out that the two rehab facilities that were to be options for Dad were, in fact, not options. Apparently, they are for more extreme cases. That’s why Dad wasn’t discharged the other day. After many phone calls back and forth between my sister and myself, Meredith called Dad’s regular doctor, who called Dad’s doctor at the hospital. The fact that Dad hadn’t been discharged and transferred was news to him, so he went to the Review Committee at the hospital yesterday morning, explained Dad’s case to them and they reviewed it. The end result is that they are keeping Dad in the hospital for three more days as In-Patient. While he’s there, he’ll get physical therapy. At the end of the three days, they’ll review his progress and he’ll either be discharged to go home (doubtful) or be transferred, most likely, to the rehab facility we wanted him in the first place.
Mer was working yesterday, so I called my dad and explained everything to him. He had been very stressed by all of the indecision the day before but once he heard the news, he relaxed. As I was finishing the phone call with him, the doctor came in the room and confirmed everything.
So, for now, Dad is hanging in there and is in a much more positive frame of mind, bless his heart.
The key here is coding. He had been coded as Under Observation, even though he had been admitted as a patient. That’s what screwed everything up. Now that he’s been admitted as In-Patient, he will be able to be transferred to the right facility for his age and condition.
Beware of coding, my friends. When I get her permission, I’m going to quote faithful reader Chris, who worked in the insurance industry for years and knows all about this. I certainly didn’t. And it’s essential information, especially if you end up in the emergency room.
I had an issue with coding (my emergency blocked bile duct procedure) and had to fight to get the code changed. You have to be vigilant, even in the face of the stress of the emergency room. Or, better yet, someone has to be vigilant for you.
• Scout is clean and fluffy. That’s all I need to say about that.
• Don and Dan are going to be on a local radio show Saturday morning. They’ll be talking about the new CD and playing some of their music. I believe they’ll be on from 11-1 EST. The station streams live, so I’m going to get the link for you and I’ll post it tomorrow. I’ll be listening for sure!
• There’s a link in the sidebar for Don’s new CD. He’s just sent more stock to CD Baby.
Happy Thursday.
I just love autumn, cool crisp weather and all the leaves changing, it is so pretty. Thank goodness things are getting straightened out with your dad. It can be a full time job and many phone calls when codes are not right. So stressful. Sounds like Don and Dan will have a great day and while the cats away the mice can play. Have fun working on you know what!!
hugs
Hopefully, I will have fun! It’s fiddly work and something that’s new to me but that’s a good thing.
That’s really good news about your Dad! I had read Chris’ comment…and it was very good informatation. AARP also has written quite a lot about the coding issue also…so you might want to check that out as well. Our silver maple is quite colorful this year. It started life as a volunteer….and my son transplanted it when it was just 2 feet tall, smack dab in the middle of our back yard. It’s now over 40 ft. tall! Enjoy your day! ;)
Maples are so lovely, aren’t they? That tree near the kitchen is a silver maple.
Such beautiful trees Claudia – thanks for sharing. So glad things seem to be working out for your Dad. Coding (I know) can be a mess! Thanks for the link to Don’s CD and will look for the radio link tomorrow.
Thank you, Vera. Coding is incredibly confusing and I guess we all need to be schooled in it!
Your leaves are so colorful. Having lived in Fl all my life it is a special treat to see your trees all dressed up in their pretty colors. Does it make you sad when all the leaves have fallen leaving a bare tree? I find bare trees to be starkly beautiful especially with the sky as a backdrop. It’s a beautiful day here with very little humidity. Hope you have a lovely day.
I always get sad when the trees are bare, Janie. It’s such a drastic change!
I am glad to hear that everything is going so well…
It’s certainly going better, Nancy. I’ll breathe a sigh of relief when I know Dad is in the right rehab facility.
I as so glad your father will be able to remain in hospital, giving enough time to then move him to where he needs to be. Coding is a nightmare!! What is even better is when the hospital/doctor will not divulge what needs to be the proper code to you, yet the insurance demands that it is YOU who needs to tell them and refuse to call the doctor. Nightmare city!
Your trees are so pretty, even if they are shedding. Walk through them for me. I do not have any trees at my apartment and I miss it.
Glad Scout is fresh and fluffy once again!
Hugs,
Deb
Yep. I’ve had that happen! I wonder why we have to do all the work?
Vigilance is definitely necessary when it comes to getting medical/health care. Glad situation is more positive for your Dad.
He’s enjoying all the chit chat at the hospital – I think he loves the company!
I am SO glad to hear this new about your Dad Claudia. I have been praying for him ever since you told us the news. Also for you and Meredith because I know how stressful this is for you both. We’ve gone through similar things with our parents. Good for Scout. I hope she tolerated the bath well. And great news about Don’s c.d. I’m so happy for him. It’s wonderful to have dreams realized.
Blessings,
Betsy
It’s been a crazy week. An anniversary, my dad in the hospital, Don’s CD Release Party….yikes!
Oh, Claudia, I am so happy that your Dad is feeling less stress about the situation. That doesn’t do anyone any good, and hampers the recovery when you have to worry about such things.
I was so happy that any bit of information could help the situation. It is so important for us to advocate for ourselves and our loved ones. Another reason and reminder also to have all the paperwork done ahead of time and in place for Medical Power of Attorney so that stress isn’t added in when someone is incapacitated in any way.
For anyone on Medicare, each year a new booklet is issued and mailed out called “Medicare and You”. It includes changes/ revisions to benefits each year, and other info necessary to navigate the Medicare world. I believe the back section of the book has information that is state-specific for your mailing address. (I know ours includes Wisconsin info) If you, yourself, or your parents or other adults you care for have Medicare, it is worth some time to review what is included. Medicare.gov is also a good source to bookmark for specific questions.
Just a note, in the section under Hospital Information, there is an “Important” notice that says when you go into an ER, to check asap about the status to which you are being assigned. And it says to ask every day, because being in the hospital from the ER doesn’t mean that you are now Inpatient. Observation status can last for a few days. This is so important because of what follows AFTER that hospital visit/ stay. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and ask every day.
If I might, Chris, I might share some of your thoughts in a future post. I would just quote from the two comments you’ve left that gave us such valuable information.
Absolutely! If I might suggest….. possibly go out to Medicare.gov yourself and just spend a few minutes looking around. Maybe take a few questions you had about your Dad’s stay and just see if you can find some info in there that might help. Or see if you think the info is good for people to bookmark that site if they are dealing w/ loved ones (or themselves) and Medicare. On that site you can view the Medicare & You booklet, too. There really is useful info in there.
Certainly! Perhaps you would like to peruse the Medicare.gov site and use some of the questions you and Meredith had for your Dad, and see if you feel that the site is easy to navigate, useful, etc. By the way, on that site you can also find the Medicare & You booklet! Or you can just google Medicare and You and it will come up as well. Just a couple of places to get some info or at least give people an idea of where to start.
It is overwhelming when we think that 80 and 90 year olds are supposed to navigate through all of this on their own if they don’t have someone looking out for them. We really do all need each other!!!!
I don’t know how they are expected to deal with all of that! It’s crazy!
So good to hear that things are looking a little better re the care for your Dad. I hope that it goes to plan and he can go to the local facility, that sounds much better for everyone. It is the not knowing that is the worst in some ways isn’t it. xx
Yes, it is, Amy. Right now, he’s in a very good frame of mind and if he can go to the same facility he’s been in before – where everyone knows him – that will really be a blessing.
I never knew about coding for your hospital stay. Thanks for the info. Doris
You’re welcome. That’s the great thing about a blog, Doris. You write something and readers reach out with valuable information and help.
Wow, Claudia. You certainly have some towering maples on your property. Some gorgeous towering maples, I should say. Coming up on the peak of Fall color for us here along the lakeshore. This week and next = Just Beautiful. Glad to hear things are going better for your Dad – people in their 90s should not have to deal with these kind of hassles. Ever. And also that Scoutie is fluffy and fresh, so she can enjoy Fall even more – with all the new things on the ground to sniff and examine. Enjoy your evening… ?
My only worry about the weather is the forecast for a low of 29 degrees on Sunday. I have all sorts of Morning Glory buds….I’m going to try to cover them with a sheet and pray they hang on.
Beautiful photos, Claudia. Autumn is my favorite season.
Good to hear that things are working out better now for your Dad. Coding is everything. I found that out when my major spinal surgery was accidentally coded as outpatient, although I spent over a week in the hospital afterwards. It took forever to get that insurance mess straightened out and my hospital bills paid. My doctor had to get involved too….
Clean dogs are quite lovely to live with, although bath time can be difficult for everyone involved! ;-)
Thank you, Lily. I had a coding error to deal with in the past, as well. A year later I was still battling with the insurance company!
Your trees are gorgeous! Those medical codes are a mess and yes must be done correctly or you can be in real trouble! I am so happy to hear the news about your Dad. Sounds like he is in better hands now.
hugs,
Linda
He’s pretty mellow now. Some of that may be due to his pain medication, but we appreciate it nonetheless.
The maples are stunning.
The dad ‘coding’ is scary!
So glad things seem to be working out for your Dad. That’s good news! Your trees are beautiful. I just love autumn. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad to hear that your Dad is resting more comfortably now that all of THAT is cleared up. And I am so glad that you brought the coding to our attention. This is valuable info. for all of us.
Sounds like all is well, Claudia.
S
xo
Zi hope things improve with your dad, Claudia. Thank you for the beautiful pictures. ?
Oops, not sure where that “z” came from!