SONIA Something's bothering you.

MRS. HERALD I was thinking I could do better, be back on my own. But when I tried to show you how I get in and out of the tub... Oh dear, how will I manage? All these new medications. How will I remember? And getting someone to pick up the groceries and take me to the doctor next week!

NICOLE Nana, we talked about this, how Mom and Uncle Ed will be helping with that. Remember?

SONIA So much has happened, okay? You just got home, and before that your fall, your surgery, and all those days at the rehab center. Look, you've come a very long way, okay? I've been watching you very, very closely. We don't have to do all this today. We can go over some of the things we talked about and Nicole can fix you dinner. Then I'll just see you on Thursday.

MRS. HERALD I guess you're right. It seems so much. Now, let's see. The papers I signed said I agree to have some home care services, that could include other people coming in, right? We did talk about that, and you thought therapy might help. I had some physical therapy at the rehab center. That's right, I have my exercises from Pat.

SONIA Well, there is a physical therapist at the agency where I am and I could just have her come and help adapt the exercises now that you're home. That might not even be necessary, but at least she can check it out. I'll get the OK from your doctor to have the physical therapist over. And your medication? So, how are you going to take it now that we know why you're taking it?

MRS. HERALD You know, I feel better now. Okay. The antibiotic is only until next Saturday. Let's see, that would be the 21st. I have the name but I just can't pronounce it. I read the flyer from the pharmacy. It said not to take it on an empty stomach, so I promise I'll take it with meals as you explained. And we talked about the Coumadin dosage. You're to call me if I'm to add a half a tab for tomorrow's dose. And if not, I'll just put one in for Tuesday and Friday. Oh, Nicole, here's the grocery list. And I'll call your Uncle Ed to see if he can take time off and take me to see Dr. Chisolm next week.

NICOLE Now, this is Nana. She remembers more than all the rest of us put together. Knows more about current events than her local representative. I think she was just worried about who was going to be coming in. She reads papers top to bottom. I'm surprised she didn't grill you on those papers she had to sign.

SONIA Well, then, it's a good thing that you're here. I can see she is pretty special.

MRS. HERALD So, I'll see you on Thursday. About 2, didn't you say? And you'll call about the Coumadin? I'll wait to hear about the therapist coming. And I put that telephone number right by the phone. Some live person answers, right? And I know better than to call for something that isn't a real emergency.

NARRATOR As you saw, by the end of the visit Sonia had a much clearer picture about Mrs. Herald's cognition, those characteristics listed in M0560. Sonia picked up on a common response for those returning home from a hospital and rehab stay, especially when home care is unfamiliar: People can seem confused when they are actually overwhelmed. Nicole's comments supported Sonia's conclusions: Mrs. Herald is alert, oriented, able to focus and shift attention, and recall tasks and directions. Would you agree?