Well I did it..I finally signed on for some in home help. I think I have a good team too. I am using the same team that my good friends are using for their mom who is 94.5. This group has looked after this woman for 3+ years and there has never been anyone fail to show up on time, there has never been theft ( not that you would leave temptations around) and they do all sorts of things except windows and moving heavy furniture..
I had our first day yesterday and it was great...A came right on time and she got DH off for his flu shot and she got hers too! Then they picked up a couple of food items and I had to leave for my doctor appt and when I got home at 1:30 (A was to be here only 4 hours to start) there was a finished dinner ready for our evening meal..and was it good!!!
I am having the team in 3 times a week for a total of 12 hours and it will cost just under 1000.00 a month..better than a NH at this point and they all honest, loyal and dedicated..I may add hours as we go along...I almost feel spoiled!

Sounds great Mimi....and so helpful that you knew someone that had used them before. This is going to be great for you. Did you check with the VA for the help they provide. It is free and they might be good to use on the days these people don't come. I had them 3 days a week...4 hours a day..and I had just been approved for additional hours when he died.

mimi, great news, glad you've found such a wonderful resource. As emiy says, reliability and trustworthiness are usually the biggest concerns. Also in the Northeast, language/communication issues can be difficult as well since most of the in-home caregivers come from other countries. My experience has also been that the "substitutes" never truly perform the requirements of the job-they always do significantly less than the regular aide but since you have a team of people that should minimize/eliminate that problem.