Well I believe I have finally made my decision to place my husband in an assisted living. I spoke with a person here who runs PACE program. He is telling me if I get a Medicaid waiver and put him in an assisted living that they have a contract with that I can qualify and they will basically coordinate all his medical care with the goal of helping him live as long as possible. It sounded wonderful. So in January I will start the process--get funeral prices, visit this assisted living facility, and speak with my financial advisor. I realized that he needs more help than I can give him. IT is to the point that he needs my help for almost everything. He still remembers how to brush his teeth but I am sure that will go soon. I have told him what I am doing and he does not seem to be fighting me which is a blessing. He does understand which is of some comfort to me. Has anyone else heard of PACE?
What does PACE stand for? I've never heard of it. It does sound wonderful, I hope it works out as you were told. Good luck with such a difficult decision.
Good luck with your process. When I chose to place Jeff in an ALF last Spring, it was due mostly to cognitive changes, and his loss of grasp of where he was, who I was, and a new wandering problem. Between then and now he has become extremely physically as well as cognitively disabled to the point where he cannot feed himself or perform a single other meaningful function. It turned out to be none to soon. I guess I just had a sense, at the time. If you have an instinct to start the process, odds are you are correct.
In Pennsylvania PACE is the prescription plan for low income seniors.It has helped a lot of seniors(not us,we were less than 100.dollars over)I do feel that some of the Drs. take advanrage of it. They over prescribe for many.
A week ago, my dh fell (again), and this time broke his foot. Since he was already struggling inconsistently with mobility the ER referred him to rehab, since he really was not able to stand or walk. I found an Alzheimers Rehab unit at a Nursing home here, and he has acclimated pretty well already. He does look for me and is sad when I leave, but generally he is getting into the routine. I planned for a short term stay, until he is able to come home and get back almost to his level of functioning, but now I'm wondering if I should consider transitioning to long term now--since he seems content most of the time. I already had homecare services helping me--he needs showers, toileting, feeding and assistance walking so he won't fall. I'm totally torn about this...and inevitably the financials will probably dictate my decision. My emotions are all over the map! It is so hard to walk away each night and go home.
This can be a sign that he is ready for long term placement. Delaying it might make it harder and you already have help for him. Think about his falling and where he will be safer. He will fall again.
Thanks, paulc. I'm getting similar feedback from a few close friends as well. I'm still considering, while he is healing in the facility. And actually, his foot is healing slowly. I have a call with the doctor tomorrow.