Respite/In Home help

Proudgma8

My LO is late stage 6 and I need a break. How do I go about getting help. He has Medicare and BCBS. I have a hard time asking for help but I'm getting so anxious and depressed. I don't need help with housework, just need a break from the 24/7 care. Suggestions?

Marchbanks

I am exactly where you are, struggling with this question. I’m considering contacting a company called Careyaya. They are nationwide just Google careyaya.com. They partner healthcare students at universities with people needing care givers. All the reviews seem positive. You put in your exact needs and they send the students names and profiles. They do background checks as well. Wondering if anyone on here has used them.

Chris20cm

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/71980/respite-in-home-help

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/71980/respite-in-home-help

My wife is also in stage 6, and I have been caring for her for 8 years, 24/7 with no respite aside from a couple of hours 3 or 4 times a year. I have asked our 4 children to give me a few days vacation but the refusals have been adamant, and often angry, that I would even consider such an assault on her separation anxiety and 100% dependency on me. I will be very interested in seeing if anyone offers workable solutions, as I have explored just about every option imaginable. I went to several caregiver support meetings but that's no longer possible. I know, as someone said, the Cavalry isn't coming.

Traveler18

Try for local respite services - Google caregivers or respite help for your area. I am in the Twin Cities in MN and have had good luck with companion care a couple of days a week with Joyful Hearts (small, local organization). I also had a good interview with Synergy Home Care - which I believe has franchises nationally. They had more services but were a few dollars an hour higher so I will engage them (soon) as the needs increase. Insurance doesn't typically cover companion care unless you have veteran services or other home health needs. I pay out of pocket and it is worth every penny. My DH is early stage 6 and doesn't allow others to help with personal care needs (I can, under protest, "make" it happen), so I just have them to entertain him and keep him engaged with others. They go out, go on walks and he really loves his time with them. They do the fun things that I don't have time for or are too drained to even consider. You can also reach out to the MC facilities in your area. The sales reps usually know what is going on in the area and can make some suggestions. They like to build relationships with people who could become clients in the future.

I have not found options for local day respite in my area - despite a lengthy list from the ALZ Association, most were dead ends. The ALZ Association referrals also listed 2 that might take him overnight, but I'm guessing that would be too stressful, so if needed, I would use the two groups listed above to bring in overnight care.