[NPInfo] Help please or suggestions for my mom in Upland, California

[Carla Anderson]

Hi List,
   
  My mom recently had a stroke, and she has a history of chronic back pain with neuropathy, stage 3 kidney disease, seizure disorder, and has been left from the stroke with profound generalized weakness, and some mental fogginess. She did get aggressive in patient rehab for 2 weeks at a place called Casa Colina, in Pomona Calif, and was released a week ago. The issue is, that even with a walker, she is  unstable on her feet, and she is supposed to be using a walker to strengthen her legs, that she is a high fall risk. She lives alone, and has to get up 4 x a night to void, and always has at least 300ccs of urine so it is more than an urge, it is a real issue. (maybe too much info -tmi-, but it is critical, because the caregiving she needs is for someone to be up with her each time at night so she does not fall. She is too weak to make meals, or stand alone to wash her hands, and she certainly cannot shower/bathe/dress alone. 
   
  As we have all found out, some with catastrophic results, the "Assisted Living" places are  good if you do not need assistance, dont take meds, and dont fall. Otherwise they can be very dangerous, and my mom is so hysterical at the thought of moving out of her apartment and going into other arrangements, and to be honest, she needs someone by her side, so I do not think those places would work anyway. In addition, the stroke, and the rehab, is so challenging, that a move to a strange place , in the midst of all this would be very hard, and I do not have the financial or emotional support of my sisters, who just want to put her in a  nursing home. I am trying to do this alone, and get my mom back into a safe stable situation that she feels safe to thrive again. 
   
  Do any of you have any ideas or know of someone who would be able to live-in, with my mom, in her apartment, speak English, and drive their own car, and just basically make sure she does not fall with all ADLs..for a reasonable price, ie under 2200 a month? This person would not need to pay for groceries, or rent, or utilities, just be the helper my mom needs... They would also need to drive her to her therapy and doctor's appts. They would have two full days off a week, and then I need someone else to do caregiving for the other 2 days a week..  All suggestions appreciated. I want someone honest, with a good background, and caregiving/medication experience and someone who could help with the rehab/companionship. 
   
  Regular agencies cost 20.00 an hour, and this kind of 24 hr care is between 6-12,000 a month... and I cannot afford this. Any suggestions would be appreciated. She does not want to move to Oregon, and is afraid of dogs, (I have two large clumsy ones) and so that is out at this time, plus she has a good rehab place where they are just starting the outpatient rehab there for her. 
  Carla/Portland, OR


Carla R. Anderson, FNP-C
  Healing Presence Family Practice, PC  
  carla_rayne at yahoo.com
  503 819 9726