I invite you to log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and read today's blog. I was able to provide you with general information on where and how to apply for help. Each state is different, so I also provided you with a link to a site that lists services by State.
Anyone who has more information, please post it here. Thank you.
Hi Joan, I imagine most of the people here with the VA medical may know this, but if not...
1. 10 hours a week in home respite care. (patient has to be considered "nursing home ready", ). For me , the visiting nurse, social worker, and his neurologist all worked together as they knew I needed help.
2. I also found out this week, that Veterans qualify for UP TO 30 days a year in a respite home, fully paid. I suppose if anyone is interested they need to ask the Social Worker, and likely, it varies from state to state.
I was flabbergasted when I found out about the 30 days. Though it hurts my heart to see him away from home for any length of time, this is an opportunity for the Caregiver especially if they need to travel somewhere. The do require that there is a family member of friend in the vicinity in case of emergency.
Right now, for anyone in Hawaii, you have to go to either Honolulu, or Maui. My island, (Hawaii), may have a 4 bed respite home by next year.
Joan, I'm sure you spent a lot of time on this, gathering the information. However, when I click on my state, all it gives if information for the PROVIDER not for me. Unless I've missed something. Clicked on another state - and it was about the same, no information as to who to contact, etc. Maybe it's just me but I couldn't find anything specific of where to calll, who to contact, etc.
I certainly do appreciate your efforts on our behalf. Don't know what I would do without this site. Bless you and Sid.
Sorry I wasn't clear on that. When you click on your state, it lists the types of programs that are available. For example, when I click on Florida, it gives a list. I then clicked on "Alzheimer's Disease Program". A page comes up that explains what the program is - Provides adult day health, case management, personal care, respite, incontinence supplies, behavioral assessment/intervention, caregiver training, environmental mods, pharmacy review, wanderer alarm system, wanderer identification and location system for aged individuals 65 yrs - no max age and PD individuals ages 60-64 yrs.
The state lists are meant to tell you what programs are available, so when you talk to a case manager you can ask about all of the ones you think you may qualify for.
You would need to call one or all of the five places I listed in the blog to get a case manager.
Yes, yes, yes! Such good advice Joan to get help SOONER than later. I had good attorney and social work advisors who said I needed to do things way before I thought I did, and boy, am I ever grateful now. We just got my DH in a facility and not a minute too soon. I was at the point of mental and physical exhaustion. While seeing him in a facility is so sad and does leave me with a sense of guilt - the relief and well being for myself I now feel is worth it, I must say. One of my friends said "now you can concentrate on being a wife instead of a caregiver." I love that. So true. Now I ENJOY when I see him and we spend time together instead of just being angry and frustrated all the time.
We applied for and received Medicaid after a reallocation of our assets. It took about 3 years to reallocate everything, apply and then get approved. I would highly recommend meeting with an Elder Care Attorney who specializes in Medicaid cases. It has been a blessing.
After our bout with Keppra medication and then I took him off it - he was a zombie - he is just about back to his "normal" today. I told our PCPs nurse I needed some help; she followed up and sent out a home health agency yesterday. Good news, the plan they have set up for DH will be covered by Medicare and our supplemental insurance for at least 60 days, then has to be re-certified. A PT comes 3 times week to work on his balance and walking. Nurse comes twice a week to take his vitals, etc. Bad news: They don't do anything for me! Funding - or lack thereof has been cut off for most of that. They don't have aides who come for companionship, light housework, etc. However, the PT told me today that I can leave while he is here if I want to - it will be fine, so I will take advantage of that. I also have the local ALZ Center in-take person coming 6/23 and I'm going to sign him up for that - if he will go. We shall see. It's just so hard to get anyone through an agency now that will give us some respite - at least in our area.
I honestly can't remember right now whether I wrote this to my son or if I put it in one of these threads, but one of the ways to get help is via "an incident". A problem with medication, a hospital stay, a diabetic wound, an ER visit - all qualify as "incidents." An incident allows Medicare to pay for home health for however long it is needed up to, as you said, 60 days. I've had home health many times for Sid, but always a very short visit and a for only a few weeks at a time. Once was for monitoring a medication change; a few times for a diabetic wound on his foot; once for an ER stay, etc.
That''s how it started, Joan -with the Keppra medication which made him like a zombie! When I asked for help - I did get it - although not exactly what I wanted or needed. But it is help for a period of time and maybe in the meantime I can find something else that I need. I think it's the hardest - the first time - asking for help. I certainly won't hesitate anymore! Thanks, Joan.
You voice my concerns exactly! My dh has gotten worse in the last couple of weeks and I find that I can't get anything done because I keep following him around and watching so he doesn't get into anything or make a mess. Up to a week ago, he was able to vacuum a bit, empty the dishwasher and other little stuff but I notice he has slowed up a great deal. I know a lot of it is due to age, 86 but his zest for just doing mundane stuff seems to be gone. He walks so slowly. I must hire someone to come in and just sit with him so I can clean fairly well. Like you, I find it so hard to make that first step in letting someone in my house. I was taking dh everywhere but now he won't wear street clothes. The pj's he puts on at night are street clothes as far as he is concerned. I really think he has forgotten what pajamas are. Today he wanted to go for a little walk in the sub. Never mind the pj's, neighbors are aware of his condition.
I guess this AD monster is starting to rear its head. Until now everything seemed manageable. Now I feel like my hands are tied and I am out of control.
Shirley, DH is 89, also vacuumed, emptied dishwasher, set the table, used a blower to blow off the back porch carpet....after the keppra was started - he did nothing. Walking is terrible - that's why the PT is coming 3 days a week. Medicare and your supplement will pay for this for up to 60 days, if ordered by his doctor, through a home health agency. Have you asked your doctor or his nurse about getting some help? Don't worry about them coming into your home. They see all kinds of things! LOL
Ask for help and see what happens! I know how you feel.