I am concerned about preplanning the long term care for my husband he is 59 stage 5 diagnosed with FTD/EOAD. Recently we traveled and on the plane he experience for the first time 2 seizures he was admitted to the hospital for several days and they ran numerous of test. I was told that he has significant frontal lobe shrinkage and that his brain looks to be of a 80 year old. His vision is going in both eyes and for a while now I have been giving 24hour supervision because he doesn't remember to eat or drink. I was thinking of having a live in come in around June just so I am not smacked in the face with the next stages and have no help. I do have long term care insurance for him. Does anyone have a live in and what can I expect or should expect? I was also thinking of paying out of pocket until the end of the year and then consider using the insurance.
This is just my opinion, and I am sure others who have experienced "live in" help will come along to give their advice. If it were me, and I could afford it, I would try "shifts" of help coming in and leaving, before I went for a "live in". I have heard others talk about lots of issues of privacy (yours) and security and a host of other problems with a stranger living in your home.
Have you contacted Hospice? Your husband may be eligible for their help.
I have live in help. DH is stage 5-6 mod severe. Few physical problems but can not be trusted to stay by himself and I work 4 days a week, long hours. My caregiver has saved my sanity over the past four months. He also has helped me get perspective on how hard this has been on me. I have no insurance so all my costs for DH are out of pocket. Due to the economy, there are many highly skilled people who would like to take the position including their room and board (which I provide) free. I used Craig's list locally. From your description of your loved one, I think it's past the time for you to get help. What would happen if you got sick? You need to start putting this in place. My caregiver is a man, ex Marine, trained as a medic. He is physically big and strong enough to lift, subdue or otherwise handle my DH who is too strong for me. He prepares some meals for us and provides companionship for DH when I work. He has another job so when I am at home, he is away at work. This also makes it less expensive for me. You can get someone to be there all the time if that's what you need. I would be willing to email you (or you me) to have a more private discussion of this very important step you need to take. Take care.
Well the nurse I am speaking of is a woman I know and she has no children and works 2 jobs being separated from her husband and since she asked me to help her find an apt. I hadn't mentioned to her as of yet but I was thinking it could be a win for her as well as for me. Yes I have been told by my best friend to be careful of letting someone in your home if you don't know them. This person I do know and I do have more than enough space. I am a early riser and I was thinking that to slowly work someone in a couple of hours a day so my DH will get used to someone else being in the house. I would tell him she is here to help me around the house. I have not contact Hospice. Should I and what do they do?
FTD, I have two relatives who moved in to be caregivers with me, and it is not always easy and I love THEM! I've had to adjust to things not being in their place (my children call me anal), plus not much privacy (the only private time I have with my husband is in the bedroom at night). With someone I didn't know all that well, I'd have to take all papers, bills, etc. to a lock box and all jewelry to a safe, along with special family mementos. I have heard a lot of stories about people being robbed by ones that they trusted. So, please plan ahead for having someone move in with you. I like your idea of having her come in for maybe a morning - every other day for a week and see if they get along. Maggie and Joan gave you good advice as well.
I have not yet contacted Hospice, so I don't know about whether it is time for you to contact them. They come out to your house and do an evaluation of your needs and supply at lot of things for you as you need them in some states. Others here can tell you more - who have dealt with them.
FTD why don't you call your LTC provider and clarify what they will cover and go from there. They may send a case manager to your home to develop a care plan.
Where do you get the LVN/nurse to come in? I have looked so many places with no results. I don't want to get the person who is not already insured, etc. - too many complications. Hospice/palliative won't work right now. Caregivers don't do meds or lift if they fall.
Call your health insurance company. Ask if they have case managers. If they do, ask that case manager if your insurance will have a list of people you can call - and it may be covered by your health insurance.
Most agencies who supply in-home care will give meds (not shots) and will lift them. At least those here. If you know of people using those agencies, see how they like them. I had two recommendations for the one I chose, and I had them for almost two years.
angelb--I agree with Bluedaze--call the LTC insurance co. first. Some policies require that the help be from an agency, so if that's the case, you wouldn't be able to use the insurance if you do a private hire. Some policies also cover the cost of a geriatric care manager to help you decide on what services to use.
Also, at my support group recently, several participants whose LO's have already passed said they waited too long to use the insurance (in other words, paid of out pocket too long). There are several schools of thought on this--some people like to use the insurance sooner and take a chance on paying out of pocket later on, if need be. You really should consider all angles before making a decision.