My daytime caregiver for my 91 year old mother comes at 11:00AM and the nighttime caregiver leaves at daylight because my mother sleeps heavily and only will get awake when the caregiver wakes her at 11:00AM. I'm thinking the daytime caregiver just wants more hours when she tells me she sould start at 7 when the nighttime caregiver leaves because if my mother falls and hurts herself, the state will legally come after me for elderly neglect. Is this true?
Ask her cardiologist to take a closer look at her medications. They might be the root of her brachycardia, oversleeping, the drowsiness that causes her to fall, and maybe some of her vision problems.
Once she's up and about, you'll be able to objectively deal with the caregiver's issues w/o worrying about the State coming after you. It's easy to caregive when your patient sleeps like a vegetable all day. Talk on the phone, watch TV, wake them up for meds to sleep their life away some more, and pretend to tidy up a little when the head of household comes through the front door.
Put an ad on the paper: "Wanted: Caregiver for 91 y/o Who Sleeps All Day." The phone won't stop ringing, and the present caregiver will be more grateful for having a job. Even if she's not happy with the hours.
if nothing else, get a nannycam... that way you can see exactly whats going on
Only you can answer this Q. Will your mother be all right between those few hours whether or not she is sleeping?
The state will not "come after you" for neglect.
My suggestion: Give you mother a call button.