I am nearly at a breaking point. :-(. I have GOT to have some time to myself. Taking care of my mother 24/7 is really taking a toll on both my physical and mental health. I just need maybe a couple hours a week to be able to relax. Where should I look for this type of help, or who should I contact?
I discovered that our health insurance provides the wherewithal for someone (it has to be someone medical) to come in for as long as eight hours a day, and the insurance will pay for it. My daughter and I drove ourselves nuts trying to get somebody. Our insurance even gave us numbers of organizations. No dice! They were all nursing homes that didn't send anybody out. We went around in circles for days and days. No wonder our health insurance will pay 100% for such care. IT ISN'T AVAILABLE!
Good luck! "God bless America!"
Her doctor set us up with it after grandma took a fall but it continued long after she healed and she has been having them come and help her now for about 5 years.
I suggest starting with your local Agency for Aging or the Dept of Health and Human Services.
Options are respite care coming to your home or even an adult day care program. Stay strong =(
There are agencies that provide home care too in most areas. Make sure to choose a well known one in your area. Maybe the doctor's office or nurse there can give you some names of who other patients use too. Good luck and remember that the small moments you take for yourself add up as well. I cared for my Mom 24/7 for 19 months and learned that even the short moments for yourself do help!
Start with your local Area Agency on Aging to see what is available in your area, in terms of respite and ongoing care; also talk to her doctor about what her needs are and how they can be met.