General Update #93

07/26/2020

Dusty called Joyce to check in with her around 7 p.m. He informed her that he had completed cleaning her refrigerator, worked on catching up on her laundry, watered her flowers and continued cleaning other areas of the farmhouse. Dusty confirmed that the sourdough starter was still fine and safe but would most likely need to be refreshed once Joyce was home. Joyce was alert and talkative. She had not yet had dinner delivered but stated that was normal to have it later on the weekends, she assumed due to lower staff available to trundle the cart around the various wings of the building. 

Joyce asked if there was any update to when she would be allowed to go home. Dusty said that as far as he knew the first week of August was the estimated timeline and that Libby would most likely be following up with him about it this week. Dusty assured Joyce he would keep her updated as soon as he was given a set date. Joyce stated that she would call her doctor to see about getting a definitive date. Dusty recommended against that and stated he would follow up with the Aspen Park team on her behalf. Joyce stated that she did not understand why she needed to remain at Aspen Park as all of the exercises and therapy she has been doing onsite could have been done by her at her home. Dusty reviewed the previous instances where she was left do do her therapy work autonomously and failed to follow through. Dusty reviewed Joyce's injuries to her body which she did not have previously and reminded her that skilled nursing care, laboratories, blood testing, etc. are not available to her to aid in her convalescence at the farmhouse. Joyce capitulated and agreed that the care she was receiving from Aspen Park was better for her to have if it meant that it would help keep her at the farmhouse longer when she was finally able to return there. Joyce was reminded that she would continue to do therapy work once she returned to the farmhouse, with twice a week visits for a while from therapists and then she would need to do therapy work on her own, followed by therapy work in a facility similar to when she injured her harm or had her knee replaced. Joyce acknowledged this and said it would be better in her mind to do things that way, rather than have been kept in Aspen Park, but she came around to understand again there was a reason and a progression of work being done.

Joyce relayed that someone Dusty had been working with on the Aspen Park team, who also worked with Joyce over the last few days, complimented her on Dusty's manners and communication with the staff as being very respectful, patient, and understanding. Joyce and Dusty pondered over if the Aspen Park personnel don't get many pleasant patients or family members interacting with them to have the staff member relay such information through Joyce's nurse to her direct. 

Joyce reported that there was "nothing good" on her available television channels and that she had hoped there would be a western show on one of them, but that she was unable to work the remote effectively to find anything. Dusty reminded her that she can ask the staff for assistance as they are most likely familiar with the programming the facility receives.

Joyce inquired about Dusty and Jess' day and he relayed what he knew to her, which she enjoyed hearing as a distraction from her smaller world inside the facility. Joyce lamented being under COVID-19 restrictions. Dusty said he would contact Aspen Park to try and arrange another outdoor in-person visit for this coming week with Joyce.

Dusty asked how the recliner in her room was working for Joyce now that she knew how to lay it back into a more prone positioning with Nurse Andrea's help. Joyce thought it was a good improvement when she remembered to use it. She confirmed she seems to sleep better when she remembers to stretch it out. Dusty stated he thought the recliner at the farm also would allow her to lay in a prone position. Joyce was uncertain. Dusty said he would inspect its capabilities when he deep cleans it (his next project) and sets up the waterproof cover for it. 

Joyce ended the call as her dinner was soon to arrive.

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07/27/2020

Dusty emailed Jennifer early in the day to see about scheduling an in-person visit with Joyce later this week. He also emailed Libby to see about obtaining updated information regarding Joyce's discharge date and overall health update from her nurse and if any follow up telehealth visits with Dr. Collins had been scheduled. Dusty emailed Rachael to request an updated therapy report if possible.

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