Our preferred home caregiver has advised us she will be leaving her current place of employment. No issues with her, but there is an organizational change that would negatively affect her. We have grown very close to her. When we first began with this agency, we tried about 5 different care givers before her: none of whom were a suitable match for my husband's distrust of outsiders and generally disagreeable nature. They clicked immediately and it's been a heaven-sent situation in offering me badly needed, dependable respite twice weekly and companionship and easy-cooperative relationship for my husband. My husband, right now, is pretty self-sufficient. His biggest challenges are balance, trouble walking, early parkinson's, and early alzheimer's dimentia. He can toilet and feed himself.
Our delema is, do we stay with the current agency or try a caregiver recommended by our current caregiver? NOTE: the recommended person is her sister who currently has a full-time job, but is looking to supplement it.
Some pros that I can think of are, our caregiver recommended her. She knows my husband (caregiving is for him) and it would be close to half what we are paying weekly now.
Potential, since I have no way of actually knowing ahead of time, cons and unknowns are: How will she be able to juggle a full time job and us? Having my respite time constrained would not actually be much of a respite. Who would fill in for her if she couldn't come? She probably isn't insured or bonded. I'm sure there are tens of other things I haven't thought of.
Looking for the wisdom you seasoned caregivers have and your thoughts.
- The best you could do is ask her to do a criminal check (fingerprinted)
- Get a copy of her driver's license and current car insurance.
- Try out the sister for 2-3 weeks and re-evaluate with her.
- This is an ind contractor assignment: No benefits. No workers' compensation. They report their own taxes.
* You will need to find supplemental care providers as 'back-ups'.
* You will need to ask her how she will manage working full time and then working with you/r husband. Clearly, she will be exhausted. "Somewha", it could depend on the timing, i.e., will she work with your husband first ... and then work her 8 hour shift elsewhere? You want her before she has worked all day.
I sense she'll be exhausted no matter what. Even if she works 7 days/week or 12-15 hour days.
* You can try it out and see how it goes AND could also hire through the agency to cover your bases.
If you need help in finding an independent caregiver, not through an agency, please ask. I have listed the needs/questions a few times and hope that I can find my notes.
- You can contact CNA schools for graduates (Certified Nursing Assistants)
- You can call colleges and speak to dept heads: geriatrics, nursing, social work - and see if student might work out
- Contact local churches
- Post on neighborhood networks such as Next Door (if you have that).
- Ask your friends to ask their friends -
- Ask your networking groups / clubs (tennis, quilting, swimming, gardening - wherever you socialize, ask them to ask their friends.
Have your interview questions ready.
Have a list of duties in writing.
Create an index card size ad (for posting) consider including:
Needs/duties
Experience desired (if you want someone experienced)
References required "personal & professional"
Hours per week (or by arrangement)
Contact number
Keep this short - it is an ad to get someone to call you to discuss further.
Gena / Touch Matters
I currently have CGs from two different agencies and a private one to help me care for my Mom. Always need back up! Definitely pros & cons for both.
Best of luck to you and your husband.
Also, money savings is a big deal. Right now, your husband doesn't need much but his needs will only increase, and she may grow into the role. And her sister may be available to you for more time if she starts working on her own, or after however long she may have to stay away because you are her old agency's client. Then again, good caregivers are hard to find so I say do what's best for you.
And remember, it's always better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Also, remember that most people ask for permission.
My mother lived to be 95 years old with Parkinson’s disease. It’s very common for them to have strength and balance issues, especially as the disease progresses.
Mom benefited greatly from participating in home health. Has your husband ever tried home health to improve his balance and strength? Your doctor can order it.
Home health will send an occupational and physical therapist to your home. along with an aide if needed for help with bathing.
Best wishes to you and your husband.
With all of these chronic issues...he still manages to be a cantankerous patient. Finding someone to fill our caregiver shoes will be difficult. After reflecting, I'm leaning towards staying with the agency. If they cannot find caregivers that are a good match for my husband, I can fall back on the recommended CG. Or, if my husband's condition deteriorates more quickly, I may use both! Thanks to all for your input. Clarity is difficult, when you are so close to things.
The worst "non-motor" Parkinson's symptom I have dealt with my husband is APATHY. It took several years for me to finally get it that I could not count on him to follow through on anything much at all.
It has been proven that exercise is one of the best medicines for PD. PT and OT may not help him improve but may help him from getting worse or at least slow down the progress. If the providers have limited his sessions because he was not improving please check out... https://www.cms.gov/Center/Special-Topic/Jimmo-Settlement/FAQs It was a legal case questioning the requirement to improve.
A lot of providers... especially those from big organizations will not provide care beyond a certain amount each year, the old way, because it takes more documentation to show the benefits of therapy for maintenance. Therapists that work for smaller companies are less likely to have their hands tied.
I have found that my husband benefits from the male companionship he gets during his sessions, he is getting exercise, he is getting out of the house whether he follows through at home or not. Recently I realized he still has strength in his legs. When he can no longer get out of the house I will consider the various in home therapists. Fox Therapy is a national company that comes to your home and they are able to bill Medicare Part B when someone does not qualify for home health which has more limited benefits and billed through Medicare Part A.