Helping.Mom
Army Vet goes home to care for mom.
Terry closed his restaurant in Texas to care for his elderly mom on their family farm in Indiana. What happened next, no one could have predicted. In this "Helping Mom" podcast, Terry gives fellow caregivers real-world tips and straight-talk motivation to love & serve those who loved & served us--our parents!
You can find his fast-read book "Beginnings" on Amazon Kindle & Softback.
Terry is disabled Army Veteran, with 4 university degrees, and proud Dad to 5 daughters. He has taught university in Europe, Asia & Africa. He completed Harvard University Faith & Leadership program. His work includes Soldier, attorney, champion basketball coach, and Fortune 500. His restaurant was 2-X Best of Region.
Terry is medical guardian to his mom, Sherry, and full-time caregiver to her brother, Uncle Perry, who also lives on their family farm. For his own therapy Terry raises pure AKC White German Shepherd pups for military veterans & other great families, thru his non-profit PatriotPups.org WOOF!
Terry welcomes your emails of your experiences, stories, tips and ideas, in addition to prayer requests, at Info@helping.mom
Helping.Mom
What to Do when Mom goes into Hospital? Hospital Facts for 65+
Contact Helping.Mom (we don’t spam)
Hospital admission rates, severity, cost and duration is 4x higher for 65yoa than 25yoa.
20% of 65yoa will go to hospital this year; rate is 10x higher than for 20yoa.
AVG stay in hospital for 65yoa is 6 days, at $4k per day avg cost, or $24K total
The median age for patients in hospital today is 66yoa
THE HIGHEST % of patients in hospital today for drug and alcohol abuse is 65+
Top reasons for 65yoa hospitalizations are:
Falls are the leading cause of injury
Adverse Effects to Medications: hard to keep track of the growing number of medicines take .
Congestive Heart Failure: Heart disease, the number one killer of men and women in the US, is often the underlying cause of chest pain, shortness of breath and heart failure.
Stroke: Although this is the third leading cause of death, symptoms of stroke are distinct enough for someone to recognize and get help in time, before long-term damage occurs.
10 Things to do when your Mom goes into hospital:
1) Take care of her pet. Get rid of that pet.
2) Take out trash.
3) Empty refrigerator.
4) Declutter like wanting to do for months. “Safety” Get rid of everything you’ve been wanting to get rid of. This will prove therapeutic. It will be something positive you can do.
5) Wash/Dry all bedding and sheets and towels and blankets and washcloths.
6) Plan what to eat. You need healthy things you can grab and go. Do not start eating fast food. You need protein and water, protein, and water, protein, and water.
7) Don’t stop praying and reading your Bible. Dont reach too many conclusions..don’t “mine” gods will. Fitness center. Don’t stop living.
8) Get mail; dont hold mail
9) Group text status
10). Coordinate meds. Hospital won’t know.
BONUS) Love your mom IAW her LL—gift, service, time, words, touch
—-pics of pup, yard, house
—visit by fam & friends & pastor
—donut or scone or cup coffee
—pray for her
—flowers
—updates on news events
