Balancing Act

Wilted Daughter

Hello Everyone,

I've posted about this over the years and now it's time to implement a schedule for breaks, vacations, and time-a-way.

My options are:

1) Take breaks up to 6-months at a time under the respite voucher and place mom in SNF. They are most equipped to handle most of her needs but not dementia or managing diabetes. Glucose numbers exceed 500+ after every stay and during the last stay (April-Sep 23) she contracted Covid for the first time. *Safest option may be schedule at certain intervals for 1 or 2 months at a time, twice a year. Stays longer than 3 months are NOT beneficial to me for various reasons.

2) Find/hire someone I know/trust for intermittent overnight shifts and administering meds. Two different persons I don't know one person who can perform both tasks, and not everyone likes or is skilled to administer insulin. My son can spend the night if I take weekends off. This arrangement offers no real vacation just time away for a few days here and there.

3) Hire someone (known or unknown) paid by insurance program which fluctuates with income eligibility/paying high deductible. This is considered a complicated option as it involves training, timesheets, management, rules regs. by insurance and its vendors (Deal with 3 entities). There is a state website (....gov) for posting jobs and agencies to assist with hiring information. OMG!

*Ideally occasional weekends with 2 or 3 months in SNF when weather is warm would make things easier for me. During the winter only occasional weekends or short trips are options but must be careful with COVID (not to contract and spread). 100% out of pocket is not a consideration must utilize services available with little to no out-of-pocket expense for the plan to be helpful.

Any thoughts...it's a plan to schedule more breaks for my well-being.

Quilting brings calm

I don’t understand why a skilled nursing facility can’t administer Insulin or monitor and supervise glucose levels. That’s exactly why a person would need to go there as opposed to somewhere else. For heavens sakes, the nurse at my parent’s AL can give monthly B12 injections

Anonymousjpl123

I like option 1 the best, but definitely a place that really understands diabetes. I know it’s tough finding places with openings, but you should be able to find one equipped with that. My moms place is only MC, not skilled nursing, and even they have a doctor on site weekly and staff equipped to check blood sugar. Oh gosh you are in my spiritual practice tonight - sending positive energy for you to find a solution, whichever it is, that gives you a much needed and deserved break.

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Wilted Daughter

SNF do test glucose levels and administer insulin shots, but her glucose levels are always elevated when she leaves without exception (eat whatever, increase insulin units 36-42 when she was at 18 units at home). SNF's diets/menus (strict carb diet, SCD) are different than at home. The menus are selective (like restaurant), there are snack carts roaming the halls, roommates swapping food, and PCA's sneaking desserts. 😄 It is what it is...that's why more than a 2 months at a time in that setting is not ideal for me to take a break.

Option 1 is the easiest (1-2 months at a time). Just have to find a bed available at the time of planned breaks (not easy).

Over the past 3 yrs. I've been day tripping, a few overnighters here and there staying close. There are lots of options for stays within distance I just don't want to come back when I leave. I am learning how to take breaks whenever/wherever and learn to like it (need spiritual adviser). Most difficult thing for me is to accept or like what you don't like.

It feels like settling but must be viewed as adapting. 🙂

Thank you

Wilted Daughter

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/186456#Comment_186456

Thanks Victoria2020,

For me bureaucracy, administration, etc. is the worst part of the caregiving experience (doctors, nurses, agencies, insurance...people in/out of house) OMG! The SNF were she has gone has the highest rating in our area and located in the next town over and they are the only one that has a bed available when asked. I'm determined to do the weekend stay near by in November and have my son stay overnight. I will ask the nurse family friend to administer insulin, inquire how my son can be taught to administer shots or teach him.

Thank you