 |
 |
hi So none can say caregivers don't know what it is like:) I will tell u what it is like for a YOUNG person with more than just PD. Boy I am sure that will be blasted:) No contests please. I have been in acute rehab in a hospital, sub acute in a rehab setting that was affiliated with a hospital, and a nursing home- not assisted living. A real live nursing home. It is not my goal in life to be in one, however at those times it was necessary. It wasn't punishment. Oh yes I was upset and scared. I couldn't see my son, he was a little fella at the time. It was an emergency and I strongly urge noone to wait for an emergency to happen. Discuss a back up plan so all can talk about it and take time to accept that it MAY or MAY NOT happen. It is too much pressure to put the care on one family member and one aide. No matter how easy a case the patient is, emotionally it is draining as we all know. I got in contact with the Senior center in my community and luckily they are letting disabled who have no means of transportation to come to the center. My husband about died and was sadden that I did this, however, it saddens me to take him away from his research and special time with our son. I am tired of waiting for the younger folk to join me, so did it via the phone myself. It isn't a daycare by any means, but they have resources that I can use. Never know I am sure there are others like me out where I live. I guess I had to be the first to call and visit the 'Senior Center'. It will not cure my illnesses, but it is nice to be able to not have to worrying how I will get to the doctors appointment, since I can't drive. Or actually socialize with a human! I am not promoting nursing homes. Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate them myself. I am human. I love my environment, son , husband and the little village that we live in. Therefore, I looked at some places out in the country, draw back is not near the docs that I am accustomed too. There is one right by where my husband works and that the professors go to if they need care. By the time u go into one , you don't have to worry about money:) Screw the money, unless u have a couple million, skip the concern. Nursing home- about 225-250 a day, plus 45 a month for laudnry (no ironing), hair 15 bucks a pop, newspaper extra, extra outing extra, transportation plus aide- about 2. a mile for van trip 14.-16. dollars an hour for HHA (not a nurse), phone 25. a month plus 50. to install if a line is already there in the room. They have tons of singing activities, painting, movies. They lack reading material- large print, games, visitors/the more expensive crafts- i.e. rubber stamping cards, stencils- rub on kind, materials for wearable art, wooden kits. They long for visitors. People don't like going to N.Homes thus they don't get too many visitors. Once again I hate the thght. of ever going into a nursing home. Not planning on going to one . Heck I am normal in that respect:)loll Enjoy ur life, no matter how little or how much u can do. Maybe a typed out time increment schedule of care would help the aide and u??That is what the caregivers suggested to me. When the HHA comes back to work regularly:) I will go over it with her. What I think is common sense may not be for the aide. for example , I have my towels and clothes washed separately in cold water. Every HHA has questioned if the towels get clean in cold water. I use them once, an d got tired of the HHA not switching from warm /hot to the cold water and ruining my clothes. SOOOO the towels have to go in cold water. If they chose to wash them in warm water - God bless them:) but they better make sure they switch the water temp back to cold so they don't shrink or run the colors of my clothes. Another common sense example, the lint filter in the dryer , wouldn't get emptied so now my clothes get hung to dry and have to be lightly ironed:) I don't want a fire. Also, dark colors were put into the dryer that had the towels that were 'ALMOST' dry:) No logic to me , but hey I just the neuro patient:) <grin> Life in the fast lane here:) nancy:) Eleanor Noone wrote: > > Ivan--I agree with Juanita about your characterization of nursing homes as > death camps. My Mother just came home from six weeks in one for rehab and > therapy after surgery to fix a broken hip. The nurses and CNAs couldn't have > been any nicer or more caring. Do a little research and I'm sure you'll find > that there is a facility in your area that will meet your needs and provide a > good place for you to live--if it should come to that--and a caring staff who > will be there when you need them. A suggestion, look around and see if any > of your friends have loved ones in a nursing home, then ask if you can visit > with them. I know the thought of leaving your home is painful, but is it any > better constantly worrying about care givers who leave you stranded or when > the next tax bill is going to show up or whether or not you'll be alone the > next time you have a freezing episode? > I would hate to have had to leave Mom there indefinitely because I would miss > her terribly, but I know she would have been well cared for. > Think about it some more, Ivan. It may not be your ideal solution to your > problems, but with some checking into the homes in your are and talking to > friends about the care their loved ones get, you might find someplace that > will meet your needs and let you live comfortably and with a lot less worry > and anxiety. > IMHO, Eleanor