Falling, breaking hip was rude awakening

I recently had my first exposure of the future. I fell and broke my hip and had to maneuver through hospitalization and inpatient rehab. What a nightmare. If this is what my future holds for me as I age, I cringe.

I felt as if I was on an assembly line and it kept speeding up. One institution (hospital) rushed me to the next institution (rehab) - this was done all within a small number of days. And it all boils down to insurance - don't rely on that. It will greatly disappoint you. Insurance puts a cap on what they will spend on you, it doesn't matter on how well you are or aren't progressing.

I was told by my rehab center that my insurance felt I met their definition of wellness and they would no longer pay for me to stay. I cried. Yes, I could somewhat walk with assistance, but could not tackle stairs. My house is a two story. I could not go home. My son and his family had to take me in. You can rely on family just not insurance. My investment didn't pay off for me. Insurance failed me.

What scares me is I'm still considered young. I saw for myself the depressing and demoralization we put our seniors through in these institutions. I pray I stay healthy and will not have to go through this experience again anytime soon.

Mary A. Craig

Cedar Rapids