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Suza150 Asked November 7, 2023

Can you help me find a caregiver who can come in an emergency situation without a call ahead of time?

I’m 73 years old. I am usually able to care for myself daily. Right now my situation involves incontinence emergencies. I’m a urology patient expecting to be scheduled for Axonics Therapy surgery in the next couple of weeks. At that point I will need more intensive care on an hourly basis as I recover. I will need someone strong enough to assist me if I faint or fall which has happened recently. I prefer female middle aged. I weigh 115 lbs.

lealonnie1 Nov 7, 2023
Call an agency or go to Care.com and ask for someone to come in on a regular basis for 4 hrs a day minimum so they can get paid a sustainable wage. Nobody is going to be willing to drop what they're doing at a moments notice to come pick you up off the floor, realistically. Call 911 and ask for a lift assist in that situation. If it were me, I'd hire help 24/7 while I recovered. Or go to rehab during recovery.

You are on a chat forum of caregivers to loved ones here.

Good luck to you
KNance72 Nov 12, 2023
Great advice
MargaretMcKen Nov 7, 2023
Dr Google tells me that the average cost for Axonics Therapy is between $30,000 and $40,000, and that “Axonics does not guarantee that Medicare or any public or private payer will cover any products or services.... Axonics specifically disclaims and excludes any representation or warranty relating to reimbursement”. They also don’t guarantee that it will work.

If you can afford this, you can afford to provide decent pay and conditions to a carer.

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brandee Nov 10, 2023
If you fall call 911 and tell them you have fallen and "NEED A LIFT ASIST ONLY." The fire department will come out and check you over and get you up.

AlvaDeer Nov 7, 2023
You are going to need to see a hospital social worker to see that you go into rehab a while until some home help can be arranged for you. You may or may not need specialized care post op, but do ask now about expectations in that regard. And best of luck.

It would be unusual to be able to arrange for "emergency care" ahead of time, as you can imagine. Call some agencies such as Visiting Angels and the like to discuss options with them.

While you might find some agencies and ads on AgingCare site, do remember that we here are just a bunch of caregivers giving advice on a forum.

Lizhappens Nov 12, 2023
I agree with all the other comments.
Since you haven’t had the surgery yet, get a hold of a caregiving company and arrange for someone to be there on 24/7 until you’re stable again. It’s all right. It’s OK to have someone around to help. They might be able to do other things in the house to help you while they are there.

BurntCaregiver Nov 12, 2023
I'm going to tell you right now and this is from 25 years of experience as an in-home caregiver and as the owner of a homecare agency.

Unless you are moving in a live-in caregiver or hiring one to work set hours, you're out of luck.

No one in this line of work is going to keep their schedule free and not take work in case you may need help sometime.
Homecare does not work like that.

If you fall call 911. That's what it's for. Honestly though, if you are incontinent, about to have surgery, often feels faint, and is a fall risk you should have someone living with you who can help. Or consider assisted living.

Llamalover47 Nov 12, 2023
Suza150: Go to Care.com to set up a caregiver for yourself, i.e. a specified number of hours daily as it's going to be hard to find a caregiver 'at the drop of a hat.'

OR perhaps you'll want to go to a rehabilitation facility to be cared for by medical professionals.

NeedHelpWithMom Nov 12, 2023
Most caregivers who work for an agency are going to want regular steady hours. It isn’t set up like employees who work for a temp agency that are satisfied with occasional work.

I think you should look at hiring someone on a regular basis. Prepare now for your needs. Don’t wait for an emergency to occur and risk the possibility of not having any help.

Best wishes to you.

iameli Nov 12, 2023
From what I’ve seen people in your situation usually go to rehab post surgery for three weeks or until they are stable enough to be on their own. If you prefer to recuperate at home you would be hiring caregivers probably 24/7. Presumably there are medical professionals involved in your surgery and follow up care. They should be able to advise you about resources in your area. One middle aged woman doesn’t seem like a good idea for someone who is prone to falling and passing out. You both could be injured.

anonymous1732518 Nov 12, 2023
Care.com ( not affiliated with them in anyway). I like they have photos and what the tasks the person can do on the website.

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