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Which best describes their mobility?
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How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
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By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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I need to find a companion to keep my mother company in her nursing home. They don’t have enough staff to manage some of her behaviors. What is the best way of finding one?
Conniecaretaker don't be surprised if Aging Care deletes your response as when this question was first posted on Dec. 1st, I responded with Care.com and they(AC)deleted it. And so I posted again later and yes once again it was deleted. I don't think they appreciate their competition being mentioned.
This is what I do (and no, nursing home staff do not have the time needed to offer companion care; they hardly have enough time to do the basics of needed care);
* Ask nursing home administrator, social worker for ideas.
* Reach out to colleges dept heads: Nursing, geriatrics, social work - either volunteers or pay students. They need the experience, flexible hours and a little $.
* Call local churches / ask to post something in their newsletter or weekly program (or include an insert in the program or leave on a table ... ) however you can communicate your need.
* Can friends help you out?
* If you have a NEXT DOOR post something. - Go to Facebook or wherever you are on social media asking.
BE SURE TO ASK FOR REFERENCES. You do need to be aware of possible theft or criminal records (unfortunately this is the reality we live in).
Google 'volunteer organizations in xxx (your county, city) and see what comes up.
* Some younger seniors need / want to feel useful and could either visit or make socialization calls to your mom.
* Create the flyer or post so they are ready to go. Use bullet points for ease. (I personally create flyers with tear off tabs for posting (in churches or any bulletin board) although nowadays, calling non-profits / churches may be enough. Bullet points: - Who - Where (neighborhood) - When (hours/flexible) - Need (reflective active listener, companion) - Compensation (volunteer position / payment)
I am in assisted living. Not needing it, but keep my eyes open. Others here do have private care. Some have much better than others. I am going to talk to the nice ones and get their names, agencies, and ask them if they know anyone. Also, ask her doctor, his staff, any clergy you know. Ask NICE clerks you know at the store, any neighbors or friends who you like. I had my best luck with arranging care for my MIL and husband asking such people.
I found a companion for my mom by asking the receptionist at the AL/MC if there were private care people working with other residents. She told me about one who turned out to be a gold mine for me. I talked to her and she said that she knew people. Since she knew who my mom was, she matched me with a wonderful woman. It is 18 per hour and minimum of 4 hours. I cancelled the care that mom was getting (kind of) and had the evaluating nurse note on the ADL’s that my mom needed help with showering, dressing and reminders and this wonderful caregiver started providing these for mom as well as walking with her, getting her out for events and 2 meals. I had her work 1-5. My mom goes to bed when she leaves and her teeth are brushed and she is tired! It has been a blessing. Mom sleeps in her clothes and I have water (Propel) with straws sitting around but she does not move much. I pay the lady with Zelle or Cash App. When mom moved to MC, I took her with me because mom does well with her and there is never enough staff! When I needed 24 hour care when mom had a infection, the caregiver had contacts and I ended up with 4 people for 10 days. It was so nice to be in charge of mom’s care in a fruitful way. So now, I have one person 5 days and another person 2 days. Bottom line: pray about it, ask in-house. I also prepared a list of duties I wanted done. Mom gets showers 2-3 times a week, lotions applied, hair washed and fixed, walks 2 times a day (they take the long way to lunch). Events, and mom sits up in her recliner during those 4 hours. She loves her bed but motion is good for the body and the bowels. I wrote out a short bio for mom so they knew she was a RN, had 3 children, where she lived and grew up and other little details. It has been a win/win.
I definitely wouldn't go through an agency because you might get someone different every time, and all of the $ doesn't go to the caregiver. It's better if your parent develops a relationship with the person. Last year, I joined Care.com for just a month to find a caregiver for my mother while she was still at home (they do background checks). That person still visits my mother twice a week in her nursing home to spend time with her, and I pay out of pocket for it - $20/hr.
There are plenty of companies out there that offer this service. Visiting Angels, GrannyNannys etc. I needed one for my mom as well, but get ready to open that check book. It’s expensive averaging $26 an hr. Since your mom is in a nursing home you could try and find someone on your own for $15 an hr. Just do a background check yourself. My mom needed the extra care because she was an extreme fall risk so it was detrimental they show up. That’s why I needed a company who would cover if a caregiver got sick etc..
An agency that provides "sitters" will charge about $30 per hour. Most of that $ does not go to the sitter. The sitter might have a CNA certificate, or not. Depending on where in the country you live, the sitter might not speak, understand, read, or write English very well at all. The sitter will probably fall asleep during her shift because the sitter works several day and night shifts in a row for several agencies and private clients, just to make ends meet and send money back to her family in another country. The sitter most likely spends time in several facilities each week, and shares a two-bedroom apartment with 5 other people who also work at care facilities or drive Ubers, so expect the sitter to bring a virus of one kind or another on a weekly basis. An agency will be able to provide a substitute when the sitter doesn't show, or gets sick, or has car trouble, or travels to another country. The agency will, of course, charge more for holidays, and charge more if the client has tested positive for COVID recently (even if it was the sitter who brought the client COVID). Good luck, you'll need it.
Some facilities have Volunteers that will come visit residents. Ask at the facility some have restrictions hiring "outsiders" and you may have to hire from a list of agencies that the facility may have agreements with. If there are no restrictions you might want to ask one of the aides that help care for your mom. They may want to work extra hours for you. Or they may know of someone that want to work extra. Do have a contract in place. Hire responsibly (no "under the table" payments) Side note if mom is on Hospice the Hospice has Volunteers that would be able to sit with her for a few hours each week. this is "hands off". Not sure what you mean about "managing behaviors.
Check with the NH social worker. Maybe they have some suggestions. You can also check online, Google companion services and call them. I'm very picky & read reviews.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
* Ask nursing home administrator, social worker for ideas.
* Reach out to colleges dept heads: Nursing, geriatrics, social work - either volunteers or pay students. They need the experience, flexible hours and a little $.
* Call local churches / ask to post something in their newsletter or weekly program (or include an insert in the program or leave on a table ... ) however you can communicate your need.
* Can friends help you out?
* If you have a NEXT DOOR post something.
- Go to Facebook or wherever you are on social media asking.
BE SURE TO ASK FOR REFERENCES. You do need to be aware of possible theft or criminal records (unfortunately this is the reality we live in).
Google 'volunteer organizations in xxx (your county, city) and see what comes up.
* Some younger seniors need / want to feel useful and could either visit or make socialization calls to your mom.
* Create the flyer or post so they are ready to go. Use bullet points for ease.
(I personally create flyers with tear off tabs for posting (in churches or any bulletin board) although nowadays, calling non-profits / churches may be enough.
Bullet points:
- Who
- Where (neighborhood)
- When (hours/flexible)
- Need (reflective active listener, companion)
- Compensation (volunteer position / payment)
- Decide if you want / can pay someone or not.
Gena.
Ask at the facility some have restrictions hiring "outsiders" and you may have to hire from a list of agencies that the facility may have agreements with.
If there are no restrictions you might want to ask one of the aides that help care for your mom. They may want to work extra hours for you. Or they may know of someone that want to work extra.
Do have a contract in place. Hire responsibly (no "under the table" payments)
Side note if mom is on Hospice the Hospice has Volunteers that would be able to sit with her for a few hours each week. this is "hands off". Not sure what you mean about "managing behaviors.