Brookdale Hospice San Jose

Cynthia

We just signed up with Brookdale Hospice San Jose on Friday. They brought in a hospital bed, and now they're going to bring in attendants and people. They started Friday and Saturday, and today the caregiver came. It's just absolutely marvelous. We met the nurse, she did a very thorough examination workup, and she found some things I wasn't aware of that she's going to keep track of and keep in check. I was very impressed with her, and the case manager came along with her. She couldn't have been more helpful. She set us at ease, listened to all of my husband's stories, and was so kind. It looked like they know what they're doing. The young woman now is an assistant. She said she's not a nurse, but she's going to give him a shower, and she is very efficient. I'm kind of floundering here. I've become just overwhelmed with trying to do the care myself, and my husband is deteriorating. I feel like this is a really good place for him. They provide everything. The nurse is going to come, she said, twice a week -- and more if we need it. They said that he can go ahead and continue seeing the podiatrist that he loves to see. They arranged the very next day for a hospital bed to be brought in. The caregiver is in there bathing him now. They showed up on Saturday to bring the bed, and then the caregiver called and told us to be sure to come. There was some question about one of the meds being changed or something, so she sent some meds that were delivered Saturday night. I think that's pretty hands on. They're very easy to work with. My concern has been that I've been taking care of him at home with the one nurse coming in, and he would not let me hire anybody to come help them. He's 238 pounds and I'm eighty-seven years old. I'm worn out; I can't lift him. I can't do that sort of thing anymore. I've pushed his wheelchair for years, thrown it in the back of the car, and taken him places, but my body's just given up. I'm overwhelmed, and these people have just given me hope that we can get through this.