MaggieD
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2010
- Messages
- 43,244
- Reaction score
- 44,664
- Location
- Chicago Area
- Gender
- Female
- Political Leaning
- Moderate
I just thought I would post some information for people who have older parents to care for. Mom's been in the hospital for the last three days because her potassium hit the basement and she was in danger of cardiac arrest. They've got it stabilized; and she'll either go home today or to an inpatient rehab facility (to help her walking). "Home" will be my house for at least a week so I can see how she gets around. She lives with John (some may remember). He's 85.
There are a plethora of services available to seniors to keep them independent in their homes. I am amazed. I've just gotten off the phone with Social Services at the hospital. They are going to do a physical assessment of her today before discharge to see if she needs inpatient rehab. (Which would be paid for by Medicare.)
Assuming she goes home, she's going to have a visiting nurse once a week, someone to help her bath, and then two weekly sessions of physical therapy. Paid for by Medicare for at least several months.
Mom now has a woman who comes in for two hours (stays and visits for another two) who does a cursory house cleaning every other week. They're checking to see if they can send someone once a week instead -- every other week cleaning and then laundry. Mom pays $7 an hour for her. So right now, she keeps her house clean for $28 a month. Assets and income make no difference. That's the charge. It's a state-run program.
There is also a home health care service that will charge by the hour for needed services. I don't have the fee schedule yet -- it's being sent. But it ranges from $12.50 to $33/hour. They will come on an as-needed basis with a four-hour minimum to be used over two days.
I am so impressed by how we care for our seniors and try to keep them independent. Most people don't know about these services. They can be accessed through Social Services at your local hospital.
I asked her doctor "the hard question" this morning: "What's her prognosis?" She said, realistically, three to six months, but that mom seemed to have a longevity gene (ha!) and it could be up to a year. This was hard to hear, but very valuable information. It tells me that, whatever it costs, mom will have a happy journey in her own home (or mine) surrounded by people who love her.
I thought this might be helpful to others. There's lots of help out there . . .
There are a plethora of services available to seniors to keep them independent in their homes. I am amazed. I've just gotten off the phone with Social Services at the hospital. They are going to do a physical assessment of her today before discharge to see if she needs inpatient rehab. (Which would be paid for by Medicare.)
Assuming she goes home, she's going to have a visiting nurse once a week, someone to help her bath, and then two weekly sessions of physical therapy. Paid for by Medicare for at least several months.
Mom now has a woman who comes in for two hours (stays and visits for another two) who does a cursory house cleaning every other week. They're checking to see if they can send someone once a week instead -- every other week cleaning and then laundry. Mom pays $7 an hour for her. So right now, she keeps her house clean for $28 a month. Assets and income make no difference. That's the charge. It's a state-run program.
There is also a home health care service that will charge by the hour for needed services. I don't have the fee schedule yet -- it's being sent. But it ranges from $12.50 to $33/hour. They will come on an as-needed basis with a four-hour minimum to be used over two days.
I am so impressed by how we care for our seniors and try to keep them independent. Most people don't know about these services. They can be accessed through Social Services at your local hospital.
I asked her doctor "the hard question" this morning: "What's her prognosis?" She said, realistically, three to six months, but that mom seemed to have a longevity gene (ha!) and it could be up to a year. This was hard to hear, but very valuable information. It tells me that, whatever it costs, mom will have a happy journey in her own home (or mine) surrounded by people who love her.
I thought this might be helpful to others. There's lots of help out there . . .