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Check with his insurance to see if he qualifies for home health. His doctor can write a script for home health for the time you will be away. Other option, check with local skilled nursing facilities about respite care for the time you will be gone.
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Reply to Taarna
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I had to do just that during summer 2024 -- I needed an elder care aide for two weeks for my father in his home while I traveled out of state back to my home. First, I posted on Nextdoor.com to canvas numerous local county neighborhoods inquiring about reputable elder care services used for temporary in-home care. I also searched online Google, Yelp, and other reviews of any services or names I obtained -- and when I called a few individuals, I quickly learned most had no extensive training or experience in elder care...a huge "red flag." Reviews should always be checked as well as elder care work references.

I also asked friends and contacted the elder care aide previously employed by someone I knew for her elderly parent and learned more about such services. I ended up going through the company that caregiver worked for, but heads-up that the cost even for 2 weeks can be pricey: it was roughly $5,600 for two weeks of overnight stay NOT INCLUDING the required cost to provide daily in-home meals for the aide.

There may be an elder care Ombudsman in your county who you can contact for advice, suggestions and, possibly, referrals. And, the registration welcome email I just received to sign up on this AgingCare website included the following info.:
>> Our Home Care Referral Program assists families in finding in-home care services. A care advisor will assess your needs and assist in arranging free in-home consultations with local agencies. Speak with a Care Advisor at (888) 495-8727 or find home care in your area https://www.agingcare.com/local/in-home-care >>

I hope this helps.
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Reply to BethesdaGal
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The one I use is called Help, Inc. Though I think it is locally owned. Look up Visiting Angels or CareBuilders. They are care giving agencies that I think are a bit more widespread.
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Reply to Clatour
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For an outside respite care facility, A Place for Mom (yes, Dad too) is a good place to work with from this AgingCare website.
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Reply to Patathome01
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Mfanelli: Search respite care in your locality.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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Medicare will pay for up to two weeks respite stay a year in a nursing home/memory care facility for people who qualify.

If you want to keep your father at your place while you're away, pretty much any homecare agency can handle a short-term, live-in caregiving assignment. Medicare won't cover this. Most insurances won't unless it's part of a Long Term Care policy. So the cost would be out of pocket pay. You could hire a privately paid caregiver from a website like care.com and that wouldcost less than using a homecare agency.

You best bet if you want it paid by insurance is to put him in a care facility for the two week respite and Medicare and secondary isnurance will pay.

Seriously though, if your father can't be alone at all and there has to be someone 24 hours a day, your best bet it to put him in a nursing home/memory care for the two weeks.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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If he is a veteran check for respite thru VA
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Reply to Spatzi
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An agency can do a short time contract.
They will assess what type of caregiver is needed.
If medications have to be given you will pay a higher amount. (If the caregiver has to hand your dad medications that will require a higher level of care than if someone can hand him a cup with medication.)
If he needs care 24/7 VS just someone there during the day you will pay more.
If he is on Hospice Hospice will cover Respite care. (Medicare/Medicaid covers Respite for Hospice)

You could also place him in a facility that will meet his care needs. That may actually cost less than having someone come in either daily or being there 24/7.
there are some "hoops to jump through" if you do this. His doctor will have to complete a health form. He will probably have to have a TB test either a 2 stage skin test or a blood test. This might take a while since doctors are slow to complete forms and order lab work.

If he is a Veteran the VA may cover caregivers but if he is not yet in the VA system that might take a bit of time. If he is a Veteran and not in the system it is a good idea to get this going. The VA can offer quite a bit of help and depending on where and when he served he may be eligible for quite a few benefits.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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You either hire a caregiver through an agency or an independent caregiver.
You need to have a list of questions and specific needs to go over - so you ask the same questions to everyone.

Screen carefully.
If hiring an ind care provider, ask for a criminal check (fingerprinting), DL, references, and experience.
You will pay more through an agency although their workers should be vetted, screened, and they offer workers' compensation.

If you want to hire an independent care provider,
- try churches, ask friends of friends, a social worker - some facilities have a list of caregivers - although if you are not affiliated with the facility, they may not provide - you need to ask.

Gena / Touch Matters
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Reply to TouchMatters
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What city has caregivers for $23.50? We are in Chicago and it is $35.00. Just curious. I agree that while expensive, those with parents in their home need a vacation.
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Reply to bgblck69
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BurntCaregiver Jan 30, 2025
Hire privately from a caregiver website. You're going to pay more for a short-term assignment though.
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Hire a care agency. They will provide care givers around the clock. The one I use for my Mom to give myself a bit of respite each week charges $23.50 per hour. That will add up to quite a bit for 24 hours a day but will be worth it for you to have a relaxing, worry free trip.
I highly recommend you give it a trial run before you leave so you can get to know the caregivers and they can become familiar with your Father.
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Reply to Clatour
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Mfanelli Jan 30, 2025
Thanks for this tip! Where do I find a care agency? Do they send multiple people?
Thanks in advance!
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I wouldn’t let a stranger into your home as they could become squatters and bring his or her family members along too. Instead, look into respite care at a facility. You have to be extremely careful these days. Hugs 🤗
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Reply to CaregiverL
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Carefully. Remember, when you open your home to others all your private information, all your mail, everything is there. You are completely open.
I personally would not do that.
I would put your dad in respite care.
The risk today, with people desperate as they can be, would be too much of a risk with a vulnerable senior and my home at risk.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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You might want to look into assisted living places that offer respite care
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Reply to lkdrymom
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