The OP says he needs a laptop if he goes to the nursing home. It is quite possible that a Doper has an extra one laying around (who upgraded but still keeps the old one around because it still works OK) who would be happy to donate it to the OP–but is probably not reading this thread. Perhaps someone can contact the mods about starting a request thread for this.
Likewise if he goes to a nursing home for a few months and the nursing home takes the vast bulk of his SSI check, he probably still will have significant expenses for his home even though he is not living in it–utilities, rent, whatever. Straight Dope does have occasional donation threads for long time members–and while this does not raise a lot of money–$1,000 or so–it might help at some point.
Do the AARP offer a service where they can offer advice about nursing home care, rehab facilities and so on? Because I know from hearing my parents go through this whole thing, it’s really complicated.
While I appreciate the help and concern here more than you’ll know, I’m glad to have a solid reason to pass on the donations - it would ruin my SSI and TennCare. It’s a needs based thing, and if I get too much other money, VI have to report it, they subtract it from what I get, maybe take away benefits entirely etc. Thank you, but probably not a good idea, and I didn’t even have to get into my own feelings on accepting donations, which is simply that I’d rather not if I’m not outdoors and/or hungry.
At the begin NG of the month, I might be able to entertain the idea of a laptop. A decent deal on something that surfs well, and it would be wonderful if it played old games like Left for Dead, Portal 2, etc. Maybe I can play a little here and there with my friends across the country. If anyone has. A lead on a used laptop at a good price, that would be helpful.
Thanks again. I know my replies are short, but hopefully not terse. I really never did get the hang of these portable gadgets I need a real-ish keyboard.
Blood clots in both legs have them swollen up. They switched me to Eliquis from Xeralto. My back surgery, which will repair my broken vertebrae and allow me to walk again, has been delayed until the blood clots dissolve sufficiently. I have no timetable on that, no ballpark. Five or six weeks later, the wound on top of my foot is about the same size, but the doctor is pleased with how it looks. Last week, I was in “SKILLED CARE” and somy insurance would not pay for a skin graft. In the next week or so, my insurance should be changing me over. TO LONG-TERM care, so I should be able to get the graft. With the change to long term care, I’ll be giving up my SSI monthly check, so I’ll be paying for my apt out of the little bit of money I was able to save. Hopefully that won’t be long, or I’ll lose the apartment, and I don’t know where I’ll go.
Just lying in a nursing home bed, watching the weeks go by as my life disappears and I’m powerless to do a damned thing. I don’t even have physical therapy now because of the clots.
Thanks for asking, Past Tense. Trying not to get too down about it. It’s hard, though.
Ohmigod. How did I not see this thread before? I can identify with this. The difference for me was that my insurance ran out at a time when I was more or less ready to go home, and I was able to move in with my brother.
I’ve been slowly and steadily improving since then.
I can identify with your bowel problems. I was on TPN (total parenteral nutrition, a high tech version of IV feeding) for months, thus avoiding use of my bowel and giving it a chance to heal. Have they suggested some form of IV feeding for you?
Pride is all very well, but if it leads to you being “outdoors and/or hungry” tell it to get off the bus. Personally, I’d rather prevent people losing everything than pick up the pieces after homelessness happens. Keep that in mind.
Second - it may be different in Tennessee, but when I was on public aid in Indiana while receiving money directly could screw up my benefits receiving help didn’t necessarily do that. So, for example, giving me money directly to pay the rent could screw me up, but someone else paying my rent for a month wouldn’t, so long as the money passed from the good Samaritan to the landlord and I never touched it. Rather like giving you money directly for a laptop could be a problem, but giving you an actual laptop as a gift won’t.
Are you just using your phone for internet access? If so I think there is a good chance there is a Doper who has an older model laptop lying around who would be glad to donate it.
Perhaps donations could be sent to your sister or a friend.
Could any trusted Doper organise buying a laptop if no-one’s got one lying around?
I’d happy chip in something and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I don’t know how SSI rules work- wrong country- but I can’t imagine gifts of ‘stuff’ screwing up benefits.
Thanks. Isuppose things could be funneled differently to appease the rules. If this drags on to where things look dicey on the housing front, I;ll keep that in mind and hope it doesn’t become necessary.
I’ve got a decent Lenovo Android tablet I’ve been using. Had some problems with it being slow and problematic for surfing, butI got some help with it and it seems to be a lot more responsive now. Geez, with my eyesight I’d hate to use my phone with that 4" screen on a heavy basis. I don’t know how ppl do that.
I’ve heard of them doing the TPN more frequently recently. A couple decades back, you almost had to be in a coma to get that because of infection and other problems - they must have made some strides in that area. Glad to hear it helped and your innerds are doing better.
I’ve had Crohn’s colitis for going on 18 years, and for 13 of those years I had no insurance. Mostly took prednisone, as I could go to clinics and get a cheap script. That’s why my back is messed up now - from the prednisone. My colon’s shot already, and my surgeon recommended a colectomy in January. Ever since then, I’ve just been trying to get to that surgery. Actually, he recommended a colectomy and proctectomy, but given my health since then, I don’t think I’ll get the proctectomy. I REALLY wanted it asap,as I was afraid if I didn’t get it quickly, I wouldn’t handle that surgery well. Looks like that’s come to pass.
I’m doing OK with the tablet, fortunately. Glad I picked one up when I could a little while back - it’s been so very useful. Upthread, I thought about picking up a used laptop for convenience and to have something to do with friends while I’m sitting here,but I can do almost everything I need with this.
The Humane society, I’m afraid. There was nothing else I could do from here. My nephew - whom I hardly ever see, honestly - even made an effort. Came over and tried to get her to come with him, but she shrank away like she’d been beaten. She had a bad start to life, and I’m afraid I wasn’t able to do much but keep her safe and take her out to go to the bathroom, etc. Between my health, and worse, dealing with my mother, I just didn’t have the time/strength/ability to work with/rehab her properly. I’d held out hope for when I got better and/or Mom had to go into assisted care, but we never had that time to ourselves.
She’s a beautiful dog - American Eskimo. The staff told my sister that ppl were interested in her before she even finished dropping her off. Hopefully her good looks will buy her a chance with someone who can spend more time with her and deal with her fear. She can get bitey with strangers if pushed - not in an aggressive way, but in a defensive manner when not left alone. We’d got past that very quickly, so hopefully others will do the same.