Need Respite Care

careworncarer · September 1

careworncarer She/her/hers / Ella Member Posts: 1
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August 29 edited August 29
My mom lives with my husband and me and we have not had more than a day away since she moved in with us. She can dress, toilet, and feed herself. Most of the time she is content to watch tv and pet our little dog. She is pleasant and relatively easy to care for. However, she has no memory of who we were are, despite the fact that I am her only child and my husband and I have been married for 42 years. She only eats if we bring her the food. This makes leaving home for more than a few hours impossible.

What happened to the days when people could hire trustworthy college student or retiree to stay with a MC person for a few days or a week? We are willing to pay for the service and want to keep my mom with us as long as we can, but we need a break from time to time.

Does anyone out there know about any services out there that have such people? I live in Grand Ledge, MI near Lansing

Thanks for listening

H1235 · September 1

I would suggest you call your local commission on aging. They may be able to give you some ideas. There are adult daycare kind of places. There are also agencies that offer in home care. Rather than using it for help with daily activities, it seems like you could have someone come once a week so you and your husband can get out.

harshedbuzz · September 1

@careworncarer

I think the demographics have shifted to make the trustworthy college students or retired widows willing to do this sort of work significantly fewer in number and the need for such people greater. Besides, most college students who need to work can earn more waiting tables; my niece was an overnight nanny 2 days a week for a pair of brothers in college. She earned more in the same amount in fewer hours in grad school as a server.

You could try advertising on Care.com but typically folks who do this sort of thing are looking for a steady gig that's reliable and closer to FT work. Word-of-mouth is how many find their caregivers. Agencies can also provide respite care, but they usually have an weekly minimum as part of their contracts. Dad's agency wanted a minimum of 15 hours/week with a 4-hour minimum shift. Dad's aides were about $31/hour 8 years ago; prices are higher since so many left the industry during the pandemic.

Many MCFs offer respite stays. Some places require a minimum 4 week stay, but a couple near me are now doing 2-week respite stays.

HB

Need Respite Care

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