And If I decide not to go the NH route, are there any resources for getting extra help in the house. I am sure she would be living with me at that time. Does medicare cover anything "extra" at this time? I know from past experience when she has broken bones that they will cover PT, OT and an aide coming in I think a couple of hours a week, but nothing really substantial. Does that change as she gets worse, or no?
Also, I don't know too much about hospice. If she was in the end stages of dementia, do they come in and help out? Is it free?
I guess what I am trying to find out is if there are any services out there (other than paid of course) that would come in and help out for more than, say 1-2 hours per week? Thanks.
Tonio
How did you find out about this service. We live in Missouri and I'm in search of this very type of care for my mother. Is there a specific website I can go to or agency I should seek out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
She also takes my step father's bp and checks him out. It's important to make sure the caregiver is in good shape. She's the one that asses the situation overall.
A supervisor from the home care service they use stops by unannounced on a regular basis and asks questions about their own workers. They can change things or advise extra help.
The aide that comes can stay as long as needed. She does the laundry and cleans the house and helps with my mother. She can also spend the whole time helping my mother if it is needed. It's been a wonderful experience since they give much needed advice on all kinds of situations.
The nurse will also just sit down and talk to them both so they feel comfortable about what is going on. She is the eyes and ears of what goes on. She is the one that makes the calls if something isn't working. She takes care of the prescriptions, etc. They also take care of supplies like bed pads, etc. They are shipped right to the house with no charge.
A doctor comes every three months unless the nurse tells him he is needed. A podiatrist comes every three months to trim nails and check her feet.
No cost so far and it's been over a year. Medicare is paying for all of it.
She has dementia but nothing else wrong except she has panic attacks once in a while. The last was last Monday and they took her to the ER and tested her her for hours. Again nothing major wrong. She's 91 and bedridden.
It is sad that while families are being encouraged to provide in-home care for seniors to save on costs, the government is taking away benefits that help in doing it. So much now is falling on the shoulders of one lone caregiver.