I have helped with many on my elderly relatives through the years and realize you can get some real stinkers who steal meds and valuables (I require ANYONE changing shifts to count pills and LOG IT! before they leave.) Valuables are with ME in the SDB.
I have been looking at “Home Instead” and their rating on the internet searches seem low. Tried to call around to get nurses/sitters and most of the single/private nurses have retired.
If I happen to not respond to your posts.....don’t think I’m not reading. I do......and FR is such a great resource.
Thanks to all in advance!
Any recommendations and advice greatly needed.
I know....bad timing on a Sunday evening.....but I don’t get a lot of time these days. May re-post later.
We used Visiting Angels for 14 months when my mom was very ill and bedridden and my dad was unable to care for her. Plus her care was so complex none of us could handle all the care involved...so CNAs were the way to go for us.
We had two round the clock CNAs, one came 3 days, the other 4. The ladies we were assigned were indeed “angels” and saw us through a most difficult time. They stuck with it the entire 14 months and became more like family members than “helpers.”
It wasn’t cheap, but my mom had retirement funds that we would have had to pay down anyway, she was deemed too ill for a nursing home, not terminal so no hospice, and the only other place they considered sending her was a specialty hospital, which was akin to the movie Coma...all the patients had feeding tubes and vents.
We (myself and siblings) still had to take an active role because the CNAs were not allowed to do certain things having to do with meds, etc. so we kids were involved but we all live close and it was not a problem.
Don’t go to Craigs List and hire someone under the table like my CHEAP ASSHOLE older brother did. (Like him, you might end up with someone who has a recent heroin conviction who will steal your mother’s identity.)
Just when he was about to be able to go back to his house, he had to go in for open heart surgery. Long story short, he never got to go back to his house.
There is no one who will do as much good for your parents as you will. Not even in the hospital. I always stayed 24/7. It is just too easy for mistakes to be made, and I prevented plenty of mix ups just by being there and asking questions.
The doctor/hospital usually will make arrangements for Home Health Care, and if there are more choices in your area than one they will consult with you on those choices.
Home health care is covered by Medicare, and covers a basket of services including bathing. No cooking or cleaning, and you will likely have to prepare the meds yourself.
Then there are companies like Elder Helpers etc. Who will come in for 3 hrs per day for cooking, cleaning, and bathing/dressing etc.
Quality is very dependent upon the actual person you are assigned, and likely to be different when you are around vs when it is just your parent.
If your Dad is a veteran, he may qualify for what is called a medical pension. That could be as much as $1400 per month for those type of services. There are some non-profit organizations which specialize in helping veterans to qualify.
Most people who try to figure it out themselves and consult with the Dr. in the Veteran's system often don't come out so well. Best to get the help. Best Wishes for you and your parents.
I have had a friend who have had luck with local church women who were looking for part time flexible work. She was able to patch together coverage with people who shared her family member’s values.
I want to thank you all for responding to my post. This is a trying time for us taking care of my elderly parents as well as our young family. I truly appreciate your feedback! I sooooo love FReepers! <3