We have 24-hour care with an agency. My 96-year-old mom is on hospice. I am staying here with her 24/7 because the caregivers need my assistance when they transfer my mom to the commode. My mom has no strength left in her legs, so the transfer is hard. But other than this, the caregivers could manage without me. I don’t want to be here all the time if I don’t have to. Any ideas?
I am surprised that one has not been provided
This would be an option for the caregivers when you aren't there. It is a process that is actually pretty easy. Mom says she needs to go, aid places the disposable chux, mom goes and aid cleans up.
We usually put a couple under my sister, just in case it was getting messy, we could pull the full chux out, roll-up, dispose and my sister didn't get feces on her.
You have to take care of you and hopefully, mom can understand this.
There were times when Mom was in the hospital the Nurses though because I was there that I would do. They were mistaken, that was not my job nor was I comfortable in doing what they thought I would/could/should.
He can’t be there multiple times every day that the parents need to or want to transfer, so being asked is concerning. You might need sit to stands or a hoyer lift with aides specifically trained on how to manage those.
Note that the alternative option for you would be worse: if the caregiver quits, you are stuck doing everything by yourself.
Last year at this time she was able to transfer from wheelchair to commode to bed and back again without any assistance. But, in July she had a week in the hospital due to heart related issues. That was the final straw. Her knees/ligaments/muscles said, “that’s it old girl”. The rehab facility/hospice sent her home with a Sit to Stand lift. With this lift a type of vest is snapped on at the waist then hooked to the lift arms, the patient holds on to the arms, puts their feet on the foot base, and rests their knees against the knee pads. The lift arms are raised to the height that’s needed for the transfer. What a blessing!!
My mom uses a wheelchair to get around in the house, so she only needs a caregiver for an hour in the morning, and an hour in the evening. I should add that at this time she has a hospice aid that comes midday to change her pull-up. Once she no longer has this service I will be looking into the Pure Wick. If the Pure Wick isn’t doable we’ll then need to hire a caregiver for an hour during the day, as well.
There are so many accommodations that can be made, now a days, that allow a person to stay in their home, where they are most comfortable. Hope all goes well for you and your mom.
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