I was scheduled for surgery today. When they were prepping me, I found out they wouldn't let me go home unless there was somebody there to monitor me for the next 24 hours. My wife is in a senior care facility and at home is just me and my dog. I then asked them if they ever operated on single people? They said it was a rule. I had never heard of this despite previous operations. Has anybody else encountered this? Thanks.
Alan
You cannot have sedation or anesthesia and get released on your own.
When you reschedule, ask if calling a cab is good enough, or if you need to arrange for an ambulette.
You can't drive if you've been under anesthesia, and you also can do some dumb things while feeling normal but in reality you're still a bit loopy.
This should have been discussed with you when they asked who will be taking you home after surgery.
This is standard practice.
Now I will admit I have had surgery and while I did get a ride to and from I did not tell them that there would be no one with me for the next 24 hours.
They are not going to follow you home and make sure that there is someone there.
You are not hooked up to a lie detector when they ask you if someone will be with you.
But for legal reasons they have to ask. Up to you if you tell the truth or not.
(I will say for one surgery, Macular Hole repair, I did have my sister stay with me for a week as I was unable to stand upright, I had to be face down for minimum 7 days)
It's a cruel, cruel world.
So many solo folks, it is impossible these days. Some town senior centers sponsor care "friends". Pay is going rate maybe $20 to $30 hour Do not know.
I live in a studio. Hard to describe how small !!!
Shower only, galley kitchen. No way to have 24 hr company!!!
When I had an endoscopy procedure, I stayed an extra day in the hospital.
Now the joke is if I need an outpatient surgery, who will take me so we can shop afterwards! --- Have someone take you and instruct them ahead of time that even if you ask, don't go shopping.
As a note, it might also be a precautionary to watch for bleeding or weakness. Cataract surgery means no bending and eye meds afterwards. If you were alone and dropped something, you might need a little help. Even single people would have to find a buddy.
Arrange for a friend to stay if possible.
This has become more common as hospital stays have become shorter. This requirement is a combination of liability the medical practice refuses to take and a hospital stay the insurance companies refuse to cover in light of a surgery that poses risks and challenges of caring for oneself post-op.
You may be “just fine,” but why take a chance? A fall could be devastating and impact your independence.
You can always hire someone who can clean too. Then, as you recover, you will enjoy your home more.
If you are overwhelmed about the entire situation, ask your doctor if you can be admitted/inpatient for the 24 hours following the procedure.
Not all of us live in the rural or low cost $$$ states. Cannot afford room for guest where I reside, metro
Boston !!!
DH will bring me and take me home, but I know there is no way he will stay home with me and not go play golf or go to the gym. LOL
After his procedures, he'd be starving and we'd always go right out to eat. I have a feeling that I'll be too mentally exhausted and feel gross and just want to get straight home to bed.
they do not do their job! "Unsafe discharge " is the magic term you need to use. Your local County Aging office may also offer some assistance , and caregivers on their registry are vetted. Very unprofessional that the hospital did not discuss this with you ahead of time. I would shop around for next time ....
I thought I had heard wrong. She assured me I had not. That was all insurance would pay for, she said.
I am a registered nurse, but I live alone. I know how to handle drains and dressings, but I was darn sure not going to accept just a Tylenol hyped up with codeine to manage the pain. For once I was thankful I had NO insurance!
I spun around and went back to the Dr. "No", he said, "you stay in the hospital as long as you feel the need!". I stayed only one night and slept fairly well with a pain shot. Then home.
Two to three times a day I emptied the two drains from my chest. I changed a saturated dressing and slept fitfully. I did the exercises they gave me, healed well and started chemo. But I was mad.
Happy to say, several years later I am still cancer-free, and am on Medicare now. but I'm still puzzled by my "day-surgery". Thank goodness I had friends who brought me food and took me to chemo as I was not allowed to drive.
So, having no immediate family, when my s.o. was not able to assist, I would ask either a close friend, a neighbor who I have a friendship with, or even someone from my bookclub who I have known for several years. Perhaps you have someone you know in a social setting who might be willing to accompany you (you could even offer to pay them for their time and 'service'. In turn, I have also been 'that' person who has been the 24-hour person for a friend or neighbor - spending a night with them when they needed help.
As we age, we cannot count on having family always there to help us. That is why it is so important to form and maintain friendships. I am fortunate for I live in an over-55 active community - actively participating in many of the clubs and social functions has been such a huge blessings in making new friends.