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It seems the biggest hurdle right now in Kif's recovery is his desire to stay here in Colorado.
He's at the cusp of being able to make choices for himself, but still uses poor judgement and his emotions to decide what he thinks is best.
FAXED CO medicaid evalution form TODAY! ALL eight pages, wheew!
On Tuesday, earlier this week, we met with Linda, the speech therapist. She asked Kif what he thought his problems were. He said his speech and his right side was still messed up. But he didn't list memory.
His problem solving: needs to be directed, needs to be given concrete examples.
Suggestions:
* using a chart on the refrigerator, or some consistent place, of things to do, and check them off as he does them.
* grocery list, pick out several things and see if he can find them at the store; once he masters that, try a different store.
* get him using a computer.
* three things to remember
* physical therapy evaluation, Linda suggested.
*
Kif got mad at me because I wouldn't take him to work. Then he got mad at me because he was hungry. Then he got mad at me because his pants didn't fit and he wanted to take them back. He's getting more impulsive.
I think it's time to end this particular weblog. This weblog seems to be more about bureaucracy and my brother's emotional problems, than any recovery going on. I have no doubt that he'll recover physically from his injuries, but I'm concerned that his life will be shortened by the poor decisions he makes.
I love my brother and want to have a relationship with him. But it seems like too many years have gone by causing too much damage.
I just called Alameda County Social Services. The automated system told me we need to file for Medi-Cal in person. Which makes sense. So, can't get anything started there. Darn.
Kif still wants to work, which I think is great. But I believe he's still "cognitively disabled".
he's already taken the splint off.
he also had three hotdogs for breakfast. yeck.
Last night I let Kif walk out of the house. He was mad at me because I wouldn't drive him to this Day Laborer place. I wouldn't drive him because he wanted to work the night shift, which I don't think he can handle physically right now. And I wouldn't drive him because he had broken his pinky finger. He had broken his finger the day before when he went for a walk.
After I caught up with him, I took him to the hospital for his finger.
Since he has CICP, which is a type of insurance, I took him to the University Hospital. We ran into an "old friend" of his, Dr. Mathieson. She was doing a rotation in the emergency department. She seemed genuinely happy to see a familiar face. It was nice to see her because it reminded me how far we had come since his stay in the "step down" unit. Kif recognized her face but couldn't place her, so I told him who she was.
Kif did in fact break his finger, and it's in a splint. We didn't get home until around midnight, so he's sleeping now.
Finally got a call back from Learning Services.
I talked to Kris re: Learning Services in CO.
In order for Kif to go to Learning Services, DGH/Kendra should have applied for the Brain Injury Waiver, Medicaid needs to have been approved.
If Kif were to go to Learning Services in CA, he would need to reapply for Medicaid out there.
Makes me reconsider taking him to CA. If he can stay in an assisted living facility, I think that would be helpful.
One more month until the four month mark.
Yesterday, Kif fell and "jammed" his finger. At least I hope it's jammed. I'd like to avoid going to the hospital. It's still puffy and swollen, but not obviously deformed.
no speech therapy today because Kif is medicaid pending and has no other insurance. Got him on CICP so he could schedule future speech therapy appts. Also talked to Anita from Chamberlain Edmonds. I believe she said we could transfer the medicaid application to another state, which is different from what Sierra R said, but I may have completely misunderstood.
Need to move him to California so i can be back home.
So, I called Alta Bates's outpatient neurological rehabilition. To schedule an appt, the need a written referral from an MD (I guess that's Dr. Blei), and I have to talk to a social worker about Medi-Cal.
I called Alta Bate's Brain Injury Program thinking they had a hospital social worker, and they referred me to the Alameda County Social Services of CA, who in turn, referred me to Adult and Aging (510-577-1971). I left a message with the Program Manager, and _hopefully_ she'll call me back. But leaving messages doesn't seem to help, especially if I say "medicaid pending".
I just want to go home now.
ENT (Ear Nose Throat) Dr says Kif is cleared. His dizziness test came back normal and his hearing was fine, despite the hairline fracture that ran from the front of his skull to the back.
Finally, good news!!
Dr. Eusterman said that the dizziness would most likely improve within six months. We're not even at the three month mark yet, so I think we're going to be okay.
This past month with Kif staying with me have been emotionally difficult. It's been a roller coaster. For most of our lives we haven't been on good terms, so the time we've spent together has been therapeutic, at least for me. Kif has a good sense of humor and I'm really enjoying getting to know him without being all judgemental.
Someone called from Denver Health Physicians saying Kif owes $14,680.
Luckily the payment plan is only $100/month right now. Otherwise it goes to collection agencies.
Denver Health Physicians
Account #94943602
P.O. Box 17309
Denver, CO 80217
CICP Pending: need to call Edgar Acosta about his application.
Medicaid pending
Kif took the ENG test and audio hearing test today: it lasted about two hours. We won't hear the results until next Wednesday.
Afterwards, he seemed happy it was over, at least in a better mood, than when we arrived. We went out for lunch and then walked in Washington Park for an hour. We laughed and joked about "happy, hopping squirrels", until we saw one that was recent roadkill. That wasn't so funny.
About the ENG test:
http://www.webmd.com/hw/balance_disorders/hw205591.asp#hw205602