My spouse is elderly, an amputee, mostly blind with profound hearing loss. He is a diabetic and subject to low blood sugars. As a result, he cannot be left alone for very long at a time. I have been his healthcare provider 24/7 for the last 6 plus years. I'm in my 70s and am beginning to burn out. Family members seldom offer to step up and give me a break (two time in 6 years), so I'm getting a bit tired and short on patience.
The cost is concerning, but so is the trust factor. Are most of these people trained and bonded. I've heard stories from other of how their loved one was not cared for properly and things in the home were "gone through".
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As far as the caregivers in an ALF or SNF being 'bonded', no, I don't think so. And I have no idea what you mean about 'things in the home were "gone through" if you're looking for respite care OUTSIDE of your home in a facility setting. If you are looking for caregivers to come into your home to give you a break, then you can look on the right side of your screen and ask Karen the Care Advisor about rates and 'bonding' and things like that.
If you're burned out and short on patience, you don't have much of a choice at this point about asking for help. You can't rely on family members to spell you; you need to hire people and pay them or get DH into a facility for long term care now. In reality, we're all alone when caring for a spouse with tons of health issues.
Best of luck.
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