Geriatric Day Hospital

About four weeks ago, Dad and I went to go see a "Geriatric Specialist".  I never even knew these existed!  Anyway, after a 2 1/2 hour visit and two weeks later Dad was asked to attend a Geriatric Day Hospital twice a week (on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm). 

This Day Hospital has a team consisting of:  Geriatric Doctor, Charge Nurse, Practical Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Physio Therapist, Rehab Assistant, and Social Worker.  They are a team that focus on improving Dad's physical and mental health.  They work on improving his mobility and overall health.  He will be attending this day hospital for 6-10 weeks.  To date, they have modified his medication so he only has to take his many, many pills twice a day instead of three times a day and he seems to be getting around a bit better (using a cane in the house instead of his walker).

Each day (Tues and Thurs) all the "old folks" meet with the different therapists, are weighed, and have blood pressure and pulse taken, and do an exercise circuit, They also have different events each day such as:  Food Safety Facts, 50's sing along, brain games, baking, etc.  Dad seems to enjoy going here.  It is a great opportunity to get out and socialize with other "old folks".

With Brian and myself working, it has been a challenge at times to get Dad to the Day Hospital and back.  Handi-dart will not pick up Dad because we are outside of city limits.  We can't get a taxi as Dad needs help getting up and down our stairs.  We are very thankful, and grateful, to Sarah (Mac's granddaugher and my daughter).  When she can, she comes to pick up Dad, help him down the stairs and out to the car.  She drops him off at 9:30 and then picks him up at 2:00 and brings him back home.  There has been a few times when she couldn't do it and we were very thankful, once again, to have Christine (Brian's niece) to be Dad's Chauffer for the day!