My LO, who spends much time outside, hasn't changed his Jeans in 7days. I'm wondering how long it'll be til he does it. He totally denies any mental impairment. Hmmm. Kind of funny, kind of not. I must be tired.
When and if he will take a shower and takes the jeans off...just pick them up off the floor or wherever he puts them and put them in the washing machine and lay out a pair clean jeans. My dh has done this type of thing for months now. One time he went 10 days without a shower. Everyday it was fight about it until I thought I would loose my mind. Now he has a visiting nurse that comes in and gives him a shower 3 times a week...he doesn't argue with her at all.
If I want Sid to change his jeans (jean shorts - we live in FL), I throw them in the laundry and put out a clean pair. They all look alike, so he doesn't know the difference. I do the same for his socks and underwear.
JudithKB,
How did you get the visiting nurse for showers? Private pay? VA? I desperately need someone for that job, but the last time I asked, my case manager said there were no funds for it. Sid is assessed at a Level 4 out of 5, so he surely qualifies for help.
Very strange thing happen...I had been begging the VA to get me an appt. with the social worker. Well after months (6 or more) she finally called me. She told me that the VA contracts with the Visiting Nurses/Hospice and she had taken it upon her self to call them and have them come to my home to evaluate my dh.
Well...I had at least 5 different types of visiting nurses come last week or the week before. They all agreed that my dh was very ill...but, looked very good. He has COPD, Severe Heart Condition and Alz. and of course he had the bad "melt down" on April 14th when I had to get him to the ER. Anyway...the visiting nurses said that they couldn't keep coming at no charge to me...they were just evaluating. Then they said they were recommending Hospice take over...not the end of life hospice, but the hospice that also comes in an evaluates and recommends what services they have and helps me during this evaluation time...could be 3 mos....could be 6 mos...but, they seem to think he would be getting worse on a regular bases now and they wanted me to have someone I could call 24 hours a day if I needed help. And, not take him to the ER when there really isn't anything that can be done for him at the ER....Medicare pays for all of this...the ER bill for 6 hours was over $7,000...our insurance BC/BS and medicare paid the bill.
Anyway...I now have hospice...they send this gal 3 days a week who helps give my dh a shower...today the hospice nurse came and filled his med. box for the week and ordered the prescriptions that needed to be refilled. Also...the main Hospice dr. will be coming later this week or next week. Also, while this nurse was here today she saw how slowly my dh was walking and kind of shuffeling and she immediately took out her cell phone and ordered him a walker and wheelchair...She said you are going to need these very, very soon.
Also..a social worker with the hospice has been here and told me all the other types of respite places that are available and where they are located, etc.
If anyone on here thinks they could use this type of thing I think all they have to do is ask their PCP or Neuro to request an evaluation from hospice. The VA dr. had to sign for this care.. These gals are so nice and right now I am so pleased with the showers and meds. that I don't have to be concerned about. And I am so glad I will have the walker and wheel chair if he falls and for whenever I need it. And, they encouraged me to call anytime, 24 hours a day if i have any questions regarding his care. It just makes me feel so much better.
I would highly recomend that you get your dr. to request an evaluation by Hospice. Of course you have to agree that all you plan on doing is pallative care. And, my dh and I had agreed to that along time ago.