Hoping to find an honest and caring woman to keep an eye on mom from 7:00am to 4:00pm. She doesn’t need full time care during that time, a little company, making sure she takes her meds and eats. You can leave for an hour or so, weekends and evenings I’m with her and I make her Dr’s appointments so I can go. I live on 2.5 acres 6 miles from dining and shopping 20 min from Marco Island and 20 min from downtown Naples.
https://seniorplanet.org/senior-house-sharing-is-on-the-rise/
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/senior-homesharing-30159.html
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/caring-elderly-relative-where-begin-29539.html
I was maybe 9-10 YO the first time I saw Marco. Beautiful, pristine, wild, undeveloped.....you REALLY had to want to get there on the ragged 2-lane highway from Ft. Myers. It was a very long drive. And, that was then.....tho even today, the I-75 signs warn you: Last Exit.....before the unforgiving Everglades....
Now: just an overbuilt, ultra wealthy playground. And AL costs big $$. As does everything else.
You have been given excellent previous advice. Take it to heart. My sibs and I were all very long distance but kept Mom in her condo until 91 with help from her church and friends and their recommendations for in home care. Not live-in. Part-time, every day. She was was very active and well-known and beloved in her community. Your Mom sounds isolated. A sad but true fact these days.
You say "we" can't afford. Stop! You are not responsible for paying for your Mother's care. I think you may be at that point where you have to seriously acknowledge that your Mom just can't continue to live in her home.
The ALZ organization in Naples is beyond excellent. And no.... Your LO doesn't have to have ALZ, my Mom didn't. They are worth a call. Very helpful re: references for everything from in-house help to AL to SNF. Give them a call. I wish you the best Nick.....it's just damn tough......so very sorry!
I have 2 very senior aunties in FL who use Visiting Angels. Their Angel provides all the services you are seeking plus the bonuses of companionship and being vetted by the franchise. $22 p/hr but well worth it. If you hire a private party, background check or not, you are putting your mom at risk. Elder financial abuse is often a crime of opportunity. Plus there are many predators out there who know how to sell themselves in sheep's clothing (this happened in my family).
As for college students...they don't know anything about what it means to be senior, so just be thoughtful about which tasks you ask them to perform. Also, they might be on social media the whole time or texting, having friends overnight and using "medical" marijuana or more... We just want you to go into this with your eyes wide open.
You need to get a dispassionate "needs assessment" either from the local Area Agency on Aging or from a team that her doc sends out (think, OT, SW, etc).
My mom thought she was FINE living by herself in an isolated suburb. Thorough cognitive testing told us otherwise.
There is a subtle shift that happens where suddenly, you, the "kid" needs to step up and become the director.
Obviously, you would want to conduct a background check...
Nick.
Thanks again,
Nick
I dont think that it's legal to offer only room and board in exchange for labor. You open yourself up to all sorts of scams, lawsuits...
Some ideas? Have you applied to Medicaid for your mom?
Have you been in touch with the local Area Agency on Aging?
Is there Adult DayCare she could attend while you work?
Medicare gave us the home health nurse and physical therapy but no care during the day. She’s not ready for adult day care yet. She still wants to be independent and not a burden to me. I’ll keep searching there’s got to be help somewhere.
Nick