My dad has COPD and it's getting worse. He made an appointment to see his doctor, but then canceled saying he was too weak to go. Is there a way to get someone to come here and check on him?
Medicare, Medicaid and insurance should pay for some doctors or PAs that will make house calls. You can call them for a list that are in your area. Also, you might want to see if he qualifies for social security disability if you haven't already.
TeeJay - you don't say how old your father is or if he is on disability or how anything will be paid for. If he's eligible for HomeHealthCare - this could be the way to start. Medicare also does have physicians to make housecalls but they're not doctors, they're Nurse Practitioners and some do have a doctorate. One came here over a year ago and saved my DH's life with his on-spot diagnosis and his call to the Cardiologist for confirmation. You do have options - what you might not have is time to delay.
I've been with my DH to the ER so many times now, but that one home visit did more than most of the ER visits so I'm not going to tell you to take him to the ER - especially not knowing how this will be paid for. The average ER visit was around $4000 last time a neighbor used it without insurance.
Do call his physician immediately and ask for options. If your dad is a veteran, you can take him to the VA ER and it will be covered without you needing to be concerned about $$. I would call them first to see if you need to bring paperwork, such as discharge papers, if he's not already in the VA system.
Try not to panic and see if you can keep your dad from panicking too.
I second the wheelchair idea. My dad has COPD and I know it takes him some time to walk... but... he CAN walk slowly. If your dad is truly too weak to go to a doctor's office utilizing wheelchair/walker, then it may be time for 911.
Please call his doctor; describe your dad's symptoms (or have dad do it) and ask the doctor what to do, of course telling him that dad feels too weak to get to the office.
The doctor can order home nursing to come out and take a look, or he might recommend calling 911.
In my experience there are wheelchairs at doctor's office for you to use. Or you can buy one on Amazon for less then $100. I would get him in your car (or have someone help you) and go to the doctor. I feel the doctor will be able to help your Dad a lot. My husband has COPD and does breathing treatments twice a day plus oxygen and he's getting along pretty good. Best of luck to both of you.
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I've been with my DH to the ER so many times now, but that one home visit did more than most of the ER visits so I'm not going to tell you to take him to the ER - especially not knowing how this will be paid for. The average ER visit was around $4000 last time a neighbor used it without insurance.
Do call his physician immediately and ask for options. If your dad is a veteran, you can take him to the VA ER and it will be covered without you needing to be concerned about $$. I would call them first to see if you need to bring paperwork, such as discharge papers, if he's not already in the VA system.
Try not to panic and see if you can keep your dad from panicking too.
The doctor can order home nursing to come out and take a look, or he might recommend calling 911.