Caring for an elderly person with friendliness. There are no hard and fast rules for caring for the elderly. But there is one important rule that all care givers should adopt and champion and that rule is always establish a routine. In may ways elderly people are like children, and routines provide a reassuring structure to their day when the world outside is becoming an increasing confusing and hostile place to inhabit.
After Mom was admitted to the nursing home, we had a care plan meeting to discuss rehab, medications, everything...
After 45 minutes or so of going through (what I thought was) everything, I turned to Mom and asked her if there was anything else on her mind. And there was...
When residents were brought into the TV room it was interfering with the "Law and Order" marathon on Tuesday's on the USA Network! Her favorite show was on from 900 am - 1100 pm and she was missing episodes because that's not the channel that was on in the TV room!!!
So I worked it out where the staff left her alone on Tuesday's (they had to install an alarm on the wheelchair so they would know if Mom tried to get up on her own).
So you are absolutely right. Don't mess with the routine!
Anyone who has Alzheimer's or dementia would definitely need to have a set routine. Even having visitors in the home used to upset my grandfather.
I hope you r able to get some help with your family members but don't hold your breath like some of us have already experience. Hopefully they will help but just n case I would search for alternatives for your sake to get a few brakes. Good luck.
She is in a wheelchair now and can no longer wash, dress, or feed herself. Went through her LTC insurance money in the last 3 years for payed caregivers, as mom was quite the handful because of her severe OCD combined with PD and dementia. She is now in daycare 4 days a week and I had to cut back on paid help, but it's much easier with her in the wheelchair the past year. Physical therapy had a special high tech one approved for her through her insurance. It even reclines back and she can't tip it over like her regular one.
By the way, I have 6 sibs, 3 of who were all for keeping her at home. I rarely see them,and they don't help me with Mom at all, unless I ask. So don't count on help from that direction, as it will probably be all you! Just the way it goes, sorry!
I hope you can find alternatives so that you can keep your job for a while. You don't need the added burden of financial problems too. Good luck!