My 90 yo MIL lives with us in our home. She's been with us 8 months and as these things go, it has been ok.
She is diagnosed mid/moderate mixed dementia. She doesn't cook, clean, drive, etc. But, is able to handle her own self-care.
She's been able to bathe herself but lately she has mentioned she gets dizzy when bending over.
I'd like to hire an aide to help with bathing and hair washing once a week but MIL is pretty resistant. I know she is financially able to pay and I know it's not about being shy with strangers.
She says she's afraid of theft. But, I doubt this is the real reason.
I also know I'm not willing to handle all her hygiene needs as she worsens.
When did you decide to get in home help?
Thank you
Is there any chance that instead of getting help for HER you could get help for yourself?
How much better might it be for you to have a housesitter for a day, to clean a bit, cook a bit, watch Mom if she needs help, so that you can get out. Or just a housekeeper one day, meals ordered in, something like that to help YOU.
You are correct. This is only going to get worse. At some point there may be other options such as in facility care, but for now you could sure use a bit of help yourself I would think. I am wishing you the best of luck.
Speak to her doctor about ordering home help. My mother did home health a few times. It does make a difference.
Go ahead and get help for her. She will become acclimated to having someone else there to help and most likely appreciate it.
order from her primary. When my DH aunt first started using them they just assisted her with her bath. She was afraid of falling. The cna would change her bed linens while she bathed herself. She preferred a bath to a shower. The therapy helped her mobility issues. Mention that she is dizzy and that is usually sufficient to get her evaluated.
Having home health helped aunt for several years before she needed to add a daily aide to help her with her ADLs each morning. If your MIL doesn’t qualify at this time, you will have a better idea of when she will after their visit. The advantage plans may offer this service as well but I am not familiar with them. This is covered by Part B of original Medicare.
The CNAs are very good with gaining the trust of the elder to get a bath and shampoo. She was about the same age and stage as your MIL when she first got home health.