I need to know what happens when I get sick and there is no one to care for them. They can't go to nursing home as Medicare does not pay for long term care. Really am at my wits end I can't go anywhere or do any thing because of this. I need surgery but will put me in hospital for 5 to 7 days and there is no one to care for them.
FYI there are places that offer temporary respite care so you will need to research those in your area. Or you can engage your other family, friends, neighbors and place of worship to also help. I wish you a full and speedy recovery.
Are you living with them or them with you?
If they have money, I would use it for respite care in an AL or a NH facility. Otherwise, you are going to need to hire caregivers.
Go to your Social Services and ask about Medicaid for your sister and husband. Hopefully they will fall into the criteria. They can get Medicaid for LTC and there is in home caregiving. You posted 3 yrs ago Dementia/ALZ was involved. You will not be able to care for these two in the future. And you shouldn't.
It's worth checking one's profile page from time to time because people sometimes send messages directly. I didn't know this for a long time, so eventually I found myself answering old messages after I (finally) discovered this.
It would be wise to have respite care as part of the care plans - for emergencies, planned surgery or just to give yourself a break (before you do break).
I had those same questions as you.
A lot of the services available are for Medicaid recipients which my dad doesn't qualify for and he doesn't have enough to pay for regular respite care.
There is one saving grace.My dad is a veteran and is enrolled in a Homebased care program.The
program offers respite at the VA up to 30days per calendar year.My dad didn't serve during a war time period so he doesn't get the same services as those who did receive.This is one that is available to him.
It's based on availability and a 48hr trial is required.My dad recently did the trial.I have scheduled two future respites.If either of your LO is a veteran who gets services thru the VA.I would look into the Homebased Care and Respite program at the local VA hospital.
Good luck to you.
I heard about the grant from our local Agency on Aging, which is a wonderful clearinghouse for information for seniors in communities throughout the US. Also, don’t forget to call the Alzheimer’s Association in your area. In addition to this type of information, they can lend a listening ear as you help your loved ones.
Finally, the folks on this site have walked in your shoes and are eager to share their experiences. Good luck!
And please extend the paid caregiver past the time you will be in the hospital, you need time to fully recover. So I would suggest another 5 days after you have resumed your daily activities.
You could go to a local facility and ask if they will take them for Respite. You would probably have to have some medical testing done on both before they would accept them (TB skin test of chest Xray is a common requirement as well as a general physical filled out by the doctor.)
If they would qualify for Hospice, or one of them that would give you a little bit of a break but while at home they would have only a CNA for 2 maybe 3 days a week and Nurse 1 day a week. They would qualify for Respite but that would take care of the 5 days they might be able to go a day or two longer but not more than that.
All caregivers should have back up plans for times just like this. Family members, paid respite are all options.
Also look into your State’s Medicare Savings Program which is not Medicaid, but is based on a person’s income. Maybe your sister and brother in law are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid Dual Eligibility.
So that's it for emergency.
Now you are needing surgery. Who is involved in your care of your brother and sis? A doctor? A case worker? They need to know that you will be in care for a minimum of several weeks and unable to care for them.
I am wishing you good luck. I myself wouldn't know where to start. Call Adult Protective Services if all else fails. Otherwise you are left with calling EMS prior to your surgery and having your BIL transported to hospital, who will care for him or place him, just as if you had died.
If this is elective surgery now is NOT the time. Hospitals will soon be overwhelmed and dangerous places to be in our country for some time.