Help in Richardson, Texas

abc123

I have found a company called Home Care Assistance in Richardson. I spoke to Ben. He was kind and informative. He told me he hires only 1 person out of every 24 applicants. He answered all my questions and also brought up several points I had not even thought about yet. I have to read through the information he emailed to me and call him back. I will be staying with my mom for 14 days while my dad goes to visit family in another state. This is the first time I'm nervous and scared to stay with my mother. She is incontinent now and experiencing all the problems that goes along with it such as taking off the depends and making huge, unsanitary messes all over the house. I am scared sh_tless about this trip. (arrarrarr) I have to find a little bit of humor in this situation or I will lose my mind. The sitters work a full 40 hour week. The least amount of time I could schedule is 20 hours per week. So I'd have one 8 hour day and two 6 hour days. He would schedule that sitter with one other client that week. The fee is $25 per hour, self pay or long term insurance. I will ask him if I could schedule a sitter for 4 hours per day X 5 days per week. I want to be prepared to deal with the incontinence. I am thinking that I will learn techniques from the sitter in ways to encourage mom to be more cooperative with regular depends changes and how to work around making her angry. If I spend these two weeks helping mom get used to having a stranger in the house and developing a routine with this sitter, it will be easier for dad to continue and move forward with this plan. Does anyone have any suggestions or feed back to share on this subject? I greatly appreciate the help I find here. I am seriously second guessing my ability as a caregiver at this point. I do not want to spend 14 days covered in poop.

RanchersWife

It’s traumatic but you’ll get used to it. I know I’m not much help. You need paper towels, cleaning supplies, gloves, trash bags, fortitude and grace. Keep her dignity and remember she has loved you your whole life. You are giving your dad and your mom a huge gift of self. Cry if you need to. 

Waving from a few miles north of the Red River. 

Gardeningartist

Hi, I used to live in Garland.  We hired help for my MIL from a company called Grace.  They were excellent.  We now live near Denton & recently I used a company called Traveling Angels & was very happy with the care that they gave my DH.  I suggest that you check with some other companies in the area.  They will likely charge about the same amount of money but may allow for shorter shifts then what you have found.  Good luck!  Your mom & dad are very lucky to have your help.  This is the nicest thing that you could ever do for your dad.

M1

Good luck abc, keep us posted how it goes. Indeed a wonderful gift to your dad.

abc123

I knew this was coming and bought all necessary items for quick clean ups like shaving creme, mask, gloves, etc. over a year ago to help dad. I explained the procedure to him. Helped him with linens and pads for the bed. I have been encouraging him to read about Alzheimer’s for years now. I finally sent him a copy of The 36-Hour Day.  His first question was did I read the chapter on family help. I am disgusted with his lack of preparedness. I am physically ill because of this.