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

[Dena]

Carla--
You can always advertise for help in the paper-- many of my SCI patients get
their attendants that way-- but I always recommend starting with local area
nursing schools to try and find a starving student for weekends, nights, and
holidays. Also, if any of her neighbors have attendants, perhaps they know
of family members or friends that might be interested as well. I know that
in the condo building where my mom lives, one woman had a Pacific islander
as an attendant several years ago... that attendant had sisters, cousins,
and friends who all ended up caring for other building residents as needed.
A family friend has been able to save up a good sum of money over the past
10 years or so as a live-in for those who only need someone in the home at
night for safety reasons, while she continued with her full-time job during
the day. Can't believe a rehab place would send your mom home without a safe
home discharge plan..... As for getting up so often during the night, be
sure she is cutting off her fluids early in the evening and avoiding
caffeine. As for the meals, if she is unable to cook, I'm surprised no one
set her up for Meals-on-Wheels or other food delivery program. If you can't
find her adequate and affordable home help and you feel she is unsafe to be
alone, be sure to let her MD and the hospital social worker/discharge
planner know-- especially if she has deteriorated since being home. 

Dena
-----Original Message-----
From: npinfo-bounces at nurse.net [mailto:npinfo-bounces at nurse.net] On Behalf
Of Carla Anderson
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:56 PM
To: npinfo at nurse.net
Subject: [NPInfo] Help please or suggestions for my mom in Upland,
California

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
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