Local Saturday - Dysfunction

Life has a strange way of teaching lessons.

Have you ever thought that the experiences in your life were put there to lead you to something?  I am not an extremely religious person, but as I grow older, I more and more suspect this is the case.

It's a funny thing.  For some reason, people at my job seek me out to ask Medicare questions (for those outside the United States, Medicare is the health system for the majority of people over 65, and certain people, such as those with certain disabilities or kidney failure, who are under 65.  It is complex, and a blend of government and private insurers.  Why they seek me (untrained, and not familiar with health insurance or health care except from persona experience) out for advice is beyond me, but they do.

When I was about to turn 65, I went to a nonprofit here in Binghamton, New York called Action for Older Persons, .  One of their missions is to help people with the Medicare process.  The volunteer assisting me said I would make an excellent volunteer when I retire (this was after we chatted about something), and told me to swing around so I could see what she was doing on the computer.

So that brings me to this Tuesday.  My mother in law, who is nearly 90, wasn't feeling well.  Another family member took her to the doctor.  The next day (Wednesday) we got a call.  Bottom line, she ended up in the ER and a local hospital Thursday for various tests, and was released yesterday, weak and the worst for wear.  And I wish I had known then what I know now.

Long story short, I learned more about Medicare and budget cuts than I probably ever want to know.  I saw a dysfunctional system in action.  My mother in law was in that hospital two years ago and they were wonderful.  It was like a totally different place now.  My mother in law was not served well.  If family had not been there I honestly don't know what would have happened.  I ended up making some phone calls with another couple of family members, trying to get answers, after a nurse told me "there was no one to talk to, they are all in meetings".  As we say here, BS. (that is an abbreviation for what bulls leave in the field after they digest their meals).

I am exhausted and there are three other family members exhausted.  And, oh yes.  When my mother in law was released she was so weak she could barely walk.  Home health care?  Well, that seems to be a scarce thing where we live in December.

I had a talk today with one of my mother in law's friends (someone who does have health care experience), who had a friend who died a day or two ago in the same hospital.  I've heard other stories before, here and in another part of upstate New York I know people in, with horror stories.  Now I've seen it firsthand.

We know our medical system in the United States is broken, but one day you see it in action, and you really see the dysfunction firsthand.

That volunteer position is calling for me, although I am not ready to retire, because it may be one of the few ways I can learn the system.  As a caregiver, I must know and be aware.  As someone now a senior herself, I must know, and be aware.  That person in the hospital may be me someday.

Thankfully, I am not on Medicare yet.

I've vented enough.

And starting tomorrow, I may go into reruns for a while.