I am sure this widely varies, but about to move my dad from nursing home who is in late stage ALZ with propensity to aspirate (about 10K) a month to a memory care closer to my mom, much nicer environment, private room, and 6K a month, though no RNs 24 hours. RNs during regular hours and CNAs 24 hours with RNs on call. I don't have a problem with that.
But since my dad would really prefer to be home, was wondering if 6K would go a long way for home care if my mom and me were also there. I was assuming lets say 33.33 an hour would mean that 6K would provide for 180 hours a month or 6 hours a day. Perhaps that would be enough (would also have hospice coming). On the other hand maybe I don't see the whole breadth of the requirements. I see answers on rates, but not how many hours are needed assuming I would move in for his remaining time and my mom is there. And we probably could get respite care from the VA.
I researched companies on the Alz. list, checked out corporate and franchise status as much as I could, then called them with a list of questions. I only asked some questions, called later and typically got a different person. When comparing some of the responses, I found inconsistencies. That was a tip-off.
But the make or break issue was reviewing the contract. Those who either wouldn't provide a copy for review or wouldn't negotiate or even make changes were off the list immediately.
As it turned out, the company I had vetted over a period of months and which I felt was outstanding wouldn't perform some of the medical services which they had earlier said they could handle. So I ended up in a desperate situation and hired a well known, respectable company.
But, unfortunately, after all the vetting, I ended up with a dud. I should have had a backup company in case the one I really wanted didn't work out. I goofed up.
And I also should have immediately e-mailed a copy of my work scope to any candidate to eliminate the ones who "picked and chose" what they would do.
However, I learned that the ownership of the franchise makes a big difference.
One poster here and two from my garden forum all recommended this agency. The individual handling our area wasn't even a medical person, had only owned the franchise a few years, and was much more of a marketing person than a caregiving manager.
If I had to hire private duty again (and at this stage in my father's life I doubt it will be necessary), I would have a few backups as alternates in case the first agency was a dud.
Obviously, these 2 didn't meet standards.
You need to be prepared for no shows, incompetent folks, etc.
Hospice will only sent an aide for an hour or two a week, if memory serves.
How many months are you prepared to move in for?
It would be nice to have Dad at home, but at what physical and emotional cost to your Mom and to you? It really does take a village to take care of a resident. At memory care, there are Aides and CNA's who are there around the clock, and the night shift is usually awake as there will be residents who wander and need to be carefully guided back to their room maybe a dozen times each night. In memory care, the residents are safe within the building, they cannot get outside to wander in the middle of the night, like one could if at home.
Oh, you mentioned that Dad would prefer to be home.... are you sure he is meaning the house that he and your Mom shared? Usually with memory loss, when a person says they want to go home, they mean their childhood home where life was fun and simple. You may find bringing Dad home would be upsetting to him, because this is not the home he meant.
This is a tough decision, but I would vote for your Dad to be in memory care at this stage of his life.