Suggestions about what to ask of a home health aid?

Willowbehr · August 29

We've qualified for 24 hours of help from a home health aid paid by our insurance but I don't know what to ask of this person (if we can find one!). We are both ambulatory, ride bikes together and I manage household chores. My DH is easy going, polite, charming but needs to ask questions all the time and repeats himself endlessly. He keeps track of me….constantly… I feel I just need some time apart so I can come back happy to see him instead of being frustrated, angry and annoyed all the time. But I don't really want someone else hanging around too much.

PlentyQuiet · August 29

I never had a home health aide until DH entered hospice. They explained that they could help with things like changing bedding, starting a load of laundry, ADLs, or just visit and give me a chance to shower unobserved. Talk with the aide, they may be able to suggest even more things

SDianeL · August 29

24 hours of help in what time frame? weekly? monthly? in total? Do the hours expire? I would make a list of the things you want the home health aid to do. The agency will usually have a list of the things the person can/will do or not do. They will usually fix light lunch, do dishes, maybe laundry. I would ask for someone who has experience with dementia. When I received respite care from the VA, all I wanted them to do was sit with him & listen to him talk and keep him safe. In our state, the person (CNA) could not give him his meds, only an nurse could do that. So I fed him his breakfast, gave him his meds and then left about noon for 4 hours. I got back in time to fix his dinner. It worked out great. She came once a week. The first time she came I stayed home so I could see the interaction between her and my DH.

cdgbdr · August 29

It may be companionship for him while you're away that you need. They can typically do light housework and some personal care. The plan should be specific to what you and your husband need.

Michele P · September 9

I have spoken to several agencies that have VA funding approval for in home care. They offer the same services such as bathing, dressing, feeding, light housework and light meal prep, transporting your loved one to doctor appointments. They come in and assess what is needed and the amount of hours that are necessary for care. Our care will be covered for the most part by the VA. From what I have been told, the maximum amount of hours as the disease progresses is 100 hours per week. If you are going through the VA for in home care, your loved one needs a required disability rating percentage. Their primary care physician and/or neurologist have to fill out the paperwork for aid and assistance in the home.

M5M · September 13

When you bring someone into your home, I strongly suggest you have a list of things you want them to do…things suggested above are right...but unless you have a very outstanding aide, you will likely need to establish some expectations and give lots of information at first.. My DH did not want anyone and was quite resistant. I told him the aide was for me, sort of true since I did have a couple of months of health issues. So we started with an aide before actually needing it in a crisis situation, and DH got used to her being there. I didn't leave for several weeks, rather I showed her things to do, where the food is, what treats for DH, our routine in general. We talked a lot getting to know each other. Long term, it has worked out fine, and DH begrudgingly accepts her so I can leave. Overall, having anyone in your home is awkward, and it does take some finesse to smooth things out.

virtualjupiter · September 15

I have a gal who comes in three times a week, she cleans, preps food, does the shopping, helps with bathing, and does laundry. It's very helpful.

ronda b · September 20

Where did you find her

Suggestions about what to ask of a home health aid?

Comments

Commonly Used Abbreviations

Community Guidelines

Categories