I have a relative in a nursing home that I have been responsible for during the last 5 years. The nursing home is an hour and an half drive from my home. Other family members live in different parts of the country and are not available to help. I have been delaying surgery on a very painful foot (my foot) condition for the past year because I would not be able to drive for 2 months after the surgery. I am concerned I would not be able to get to the nursing home if there were an emergency situation.
I am truly struggling with this situation, and I think it would help me if I could hear how other people have handled a situation like this.
Thank you.
They offer more affordable caregiver services that may help.
We are not eligible to use their service because of my husband's PEG tube.
But yes, while everyone (including many on this board) constantly preach take care of yourself first... the reality is in order to do that, a caregiver has to have a back-up system and most people don't have one due to lack of resources. This is especially true where a caregiver needs a procedure and recovery time.
Interestingly, most of the people who preach it would never offer to help you achieve that goal or help find resources.
If you have not already, check with your regional Council on Aging for possible respite grant that may help or suggestions of other possible funding.
YOU are fortunate as your LO is in a nursing home.
If there is an emergency, she is in the right place to get immediate care. Perhaps before you have your surgery, you could have a few friends who would be willing to be on-call if there was a need to get you to the nursing home or hospital asap. Of course, let them know you will pay them for their time. Of course, there is also ride services like Uber and Lyft. My son routinely drives people two hours to airports.
Take care of your foot so you can get back to caring for your loved one.
Thank you for responding; your input was very helpful and greatly appreciated.
Believe me, I thought many times about moving my loved one closer to me!! However, she has (had) many friends in town who were nearby and could visit her. This was important; it helped ease her transition from living independently to living in a nursing home.
Also, my loved one is on Medicaid, and I live in another state.
Moving her to another state while on Medicaid would be very complicated.
And, unfortunately, my loved one’s health is now deteriorating rapidly, and moving her is no longer being considered.
Thanks again for responding.