On Tuesday, January 18, our family enrolled Lynne in Hospice and Palliative Care with Continuum Care of Washington. The goal of palliative care is to help manage Lynne’s pain and reduce the side effects of medication required for her treatment. The goal of Hospice care is to treat Lynne as a whole and manage her symptoms rather than treating Alzheimer’s. Continuum will provide resources for medication management, skilled nursing care, medical supplies and equipment, and spiritual and emotional support. Continuum was recommended to us by the Aegis medical director based on their relationship with Continuum Care for current and former residents.
Lynne will remain in her apartment at Aegis receiving its current hospitality services with the added support from Continuum services already provided to current residents. A Hospice nurse will visit her once a week and a home-care-aide two times per week under the direction of a new primary care physician and liaisons who can assist us when we need more help. The Hospice nurse and home-health aide know Lynne and are excited to care for her, so Lynne should welcome the continuity in her new plan.
Continuum responded effectively and thoroughly since late last week to complete approvals and assign staff on Tuesday. We are pleased with the extra care Lynne will receive in her current stage and her new team. Continuum prepared a 90-treatment plan based on their current examination and will follow up with a second 90-day care plan, followed by successive 60-day plans.
Continuum accepted her for care because of concern for her weight loss, frequent wide emotional swings, and two epileptic seizures last summer. Continuum hopes their additional services could reverse her weight loss and stabilize her moods to permit taking her off Palliative and Hospice Care. Aegis staff confirmed other residents have been taken off. If Lynne is removed from Continuum Care, it would only be temporary because she is in the last stage of Alzheimer’s.
Lynne’s brother, sister and her boys support the extra services she will receive. Lynne continues to welcome phone calls and cards, and visits when we return to post Covid restrictions.
Our small group continues to pray for you and Lynne! We miss you and offer support from afar. Sending you a virtual hug,
I am thrilled that Lynne will get the extra love and support provided by Continuum! I saw Lin three times today, and each time she was on a walk and we practically ran to one another for a big and excited hug. Seeing her is the highlight of my day, every day. There are not enough people who will treat you as a long lost friend-and Lynne’s eyes light up at every meeting! And at every one of our meetings, we talk about her amazing Dad, and again: Her eyes light up. In the words of Ram Dass: “We are all just walking each other home.” I love that I get to help walk Lynne home every day… and she makes my walk easier whenever we meet.
Thank you, Jim.
Continuing prayers, positive thoughts and fond memories 🌹
Sounds like a good plan