My sister & I are trying to manage / cope with preparing for the transition of mom after a stroke from rehab to home with 24hr caregiver.
We have managed this type of transition for several other "episodes" in the past 7 years. Even have a 24 live-in caregiver for 2.5 years.
This time it is particularly challenging because Mom may only recover 25%. The amount of time and energy over the years and now preparing for what we are being told to do is OVERWHELMING.
My sister and I both work, I live 4 hours away. We need someone to manage the situation from when mom arrives home by ambulance, to instructing the caregiver what to do, be present when the registered nurse supervisor comes to initially inspect the house and make the evlaution of needs and therapy. Also needs to be present for initial nursing and therapy sessions so is knowledgable about what needs to be done and goals.
In the past my sister & I did that, or mom was able to handle it. Not the case this time.
Past experience has shown that we will go through multiple caregivers and my sister and I are the provide the only continuity of knowledge over time and new caregivers.
Anyone been down this road and would like to share advice?
We can use all the insights & ideas we can get.
I applaud you & your sister. Your Mum is so blessed to have you both in her team, organising her care, whichever path you decide on.
Either way it will be aides doing the physical care - so it becomes more about location. Having the comfort of her own home & surroundings. Or would having the comfort of her own room in a care home be something to consider? Losing a bigger home but gaining the security of staff rotating on shifts being managed.
When we closer to a definite release date (they only estimate release 2 weeks out and then keep moving it down the calendar) we will get mom involved in the decision. She is the one that has to live with the decision and until now, it has always been live at HOME. However, when we ask when do you want to go home, she always says "I am not ready yet".
Thanks again
Are you going to have one person live-in with mom and attempt to do round the clock caregiving? That's just not possible.
If you are going to have 2 or 3 caregivers sharing this job, at the very least you need to hire a geriatric care manager to coordinate.
I wish you well, but it may be time for a facility; in addition, having mom in close proximity is going to become crucial. Start looking at skilled facilities in your area and have your sister do the same.
When she comes home this time, the work load of the caregiver will be much more than in the past.
The geriatric care manager to coordinate is a very good idea. I have been coming to that conclusion, but did not know how to express or give that person a name. I am currently pushing the care giving agency to provide that. They say that is something new to them.
Thank-you again.
It seems that your mother may reach a point where she would best be served living in a facility like assisted living or nursing home.
We can use all the insights & ideas we can get.