Temporarily Nursing Home for Elderly mother?

Question

my elderly mother is going to be living with us, but we are thinking to go on a vacation for 1 or 2 weeks, she is quite healthy but we need someone to keep an eye on her in case she falls or hurt herslf. we've been thinking maybe we can send her to an Elderly nursing home just for a few days or untill we come back from vacation. or should we hire a baby sitter or nurse to live-in? we are new to this and don't know what to do, what is the average cost per day for nursing home and live-in nurse? i'm living in Riverside, CA, any recommendation on any good nursing home or nurse? do i have to do some kind of booking in advance before i send my mother there? and do they allow a short-term stay?I'm also thinking to get her a wheelchair, just for occasionally if i bring her out. Is there anywhere i can rent the wheelchair? how much is it to rent? Thank you very much !

She is quite healthy, meaning she can walk slowly on her own around the house without a can,she does her own shower and laundry.but she hurt herself few times before when she is being left alone.she mightbe forgetful sometimes but she talks ok.The wheelchair is only for her when in case i bring her out and required some "faster" walkings in parking lot or shopping mall,or in case she need to rush to the rest room.Actually she is my husband's mother, we are new to CA, only 1 1/2 year, we don't have any trusted friends or relative in this area, and i'll be more comfortable to have someone be with her 24 hours everyday when we gone.that's why i'm thinking live-in aide or temp nursing/elderly home.

Answer 1

Your mother is fortunate to have you in her life and it is wonderful that she is going to be living with you! It is great that shie is healthy and it sounds that she is getting around ok.

Although I don't know any more details about your or your mother's situation, my own thinking is that you might want to find someone who could be a "companion" to your mother while you are away. This is a trusted person(s) who can "be there" for your mother to ensure that she is ok and who would use common sense in dealing with your mother and be authorized to do what is necessary should an emergency arise..Perhaps there is someone at your church or temple who might be willing to help out during this time? Is there a young college-age person in your circle who might be able to help out in this way--or a neighbor? Maybe there is one of your mother's "buddies" from where she lived before she came to live with you who might like to have a "mini-vacation" at your place with your mother while you are away? You could pay these people for their help to be a companion during the time you are away. These are just ideas--there indeed may be better options in your community. Since you don't say that your mother is incapacitated, needs medical help, or has a mjor cognitive problem, I am thinking that there are better options than temporary re-location in a nursing home.

It's great that you are getting away--being a family caregiver is a big job! This is true whether you are a "live with your your elderly mother" caregiver or whether you are caring from "long-distance." If you want other ideas about options and resources for what you are needing --what you are describing is usually referred to "respite" services-- I would highly recommend that you contact the Area Agency on Aging serving your county. This group can help you get some answers to your current question and would be a great source of help if your mothers situation becomes more challenging.

Area Agencies on Aging know how to listen to seniors and their family members and can provide guidance and advice that may be of great help to you and your mother.You can call 1-800-677-1116 toll free to find out the phone number of the local Area Agency on Aging office. When you call the Area Agency office, ask for the person who provides "Help for Family Caregivers." If you make this call, I am confident that you will find friendly and helpful people.

It's important to know that Area Agencies on Aging aren't selling a particular service, "insurance plan" or other product. The information you'll receive will come from people who talk to seniors and families every day and you will be provided with objective information about options.

When you talk with the folks at the Area Agency on Aging ---you should ask about services that might be available to you as a family caregiver. Of course, ask about available in-home services that may be needed for your mother now or in the future. These services are for the seniors' benefit as well as for family caregivers like you. Area Agences on aging also have information about other residential and nursing home options that are available..

Sometimes in-home services are available on a "cost share" basis and the costs of services are based on the seniors' income or assets. If your mother is very low income and has significant needs that puts her at risk of going to a nursing facility, you should ask the Area Agency on Aging folks if the state where your mother lives has something called a "Medicaid waiver." If your state has a Medicaid program that covers individuals with disabilities and or frail elders, there may be Medicaid funding to pay toward in-home care. State governments are coming to realize the importance of having in-home services--with the involvement and support of family caregivers--as an option in the funding of services needed by frail older Americans.

Finding a attorney who specializes in public benefit or family law might also be advisable. Your mother,.you and other family members will want to figure out arrangements for "powers of attorney" and have a "living will" in place --and throughly discussed -- before an emergency arises. Your Area Agency on Aging would have information about these matters and would know how to connect you with professionals who specialize in this. Usually the Area Agency has "boiler plate" versions of these types of documents to get conversations in this sensitive area started. If your mother is low-income, the Area Agency may know of legal services that can help deal with these kinds of legal matters..

If you call the Area Agency on Aging and like the help that you receive, let your county elected officials know and tell your members of Congress. Area Agencies don't have big budgets--in fact appropriations for most services funded under the Older Americans Act have not increased significantly in 25 years! You will not be charged for the information you receive, however, any financial contribution you or your mother might make for the time and assistance devoted to your situation would be very welcomed--and would go toward helping more of your older friends and neighbors and their caregivers.

I hope this helps and that you have a great time on your vacation. Thanks for a great question and for caring! Best wishes and good luck to you and your mother!

Answer 2

What you need is a "Respite" program. A lot of regular Nursing Homes will accept residents on a temporary basis, provided they have an opening. But be prepared, it is quite costly. You might also look for a "Group Home for Elderly" where there are fewer residents and the cost is significantly lower than traditional Nursing homes.

There are Health Care Professionals who will stay with your loved one on a temporary basis. You might want to check with agencies like Fidelity Home Care. Locate and contact the Senior Resource Center in your area for temporary housing ideas.

You might benefit by hiring a Professional Case Manager to assist in all the decisions now (about Temp supervision) and in the enviable upcoming trials and tribulations.

A word about getting her a "wheelchair". Try to keep the person as ACTIVE as possible. Don't put her into a wheelchair unless it is recommended by the Health Care Professionals or Doctors. Staying ACTIVE is key to her health.

I am not a Doctor or Health Care Professional, but have experience with caring for elderly parents.

Answer 3

I would DEFINITELY try to hire a nurse or an assistant with medical training v.s. the nursing home. I'm a paramedic (in Chicago), and I see these nursing homes during the night (when families are not there), and you would not believe some of the things that go on (example: patient is having chest pain; nurse calls private ambulance who tells nurse they can't be there for at least another 40 minutes. Nurse COULD call 911, who can be there in less than 6min., but WON'T because that would mean the private ambulance company won't make money off of it, so they wait 40 minutes!). I did not make that up, this happens on a regular basis, and it gets worse! Not only that, but these places are very greedy and will make every attempt to get you to leave her there longer. I think it's much better to hire someone that is recommended to you, who you can trust more than a bunch of strangers in a nursing home. Sorry to make this so long, but this one really struck a nerve, lol. Best of luck!

Answer 4

That is not true for all or even most nursing homes .I have been a nurse for 22 years and would NEVER work in a facility that would do that to one of my patients i would report them to OSHA myself! That is horrible! If there is nothing physically wrong with your mom,I would consider a private duty nurse or CNA .There are nursing agencies you can call that can give you reference and costs . I would check out several before settling on one.If you feel your mother needs more care or would feel more comfortable, I know in Florida nursing homes do have programs that are designed at certain homes for short term stays such as you plan. And yes the resident ,patient,client, is well taken care of.We do have regulations and OSHA rules and regulations we must maintain and quality standards that must be met. Do an Internet search on any and every home and agency you choose to deal with . Their statistics are available.If you don't like them don't deal with them.After all , it's your mother and she is precious to you. There are places to rent or even purchase wheelchairs.But I'm not familiar with your area.Ask your senior care rep.Your Mom's doc.Or look in the yellow pages sometimes they will list them. Good luck to you!

Answer 5

I'm in Australia and I've worked as an aged carer. The agencies are linked up as subcontractors etc. to such an extent that you can pretty much get a range of agencies involved by working with a case manager. I think it helps if you're on Veterans Support or Transport compensation after a car accident, but it can be arranged for private payers too. I don't know any details about how the Canadian system works.

Answer 6

Check around your local area for a nurse training school and hire a student to for a home sitting job. Get references from the school. Respite care at an independent living facility costs about $300 -$400 a day. My mother in law had to stay in one after she got out of the hospital following major surgery. The insurance paid for it.

I would not suggest a wheelchair, but for occasional needs, an inexpensive walker with seat would be appropriate. I see them frequently at the charity thrift store for around $25.00.

Answer 7

You say you keep your current license up to date. Does that mean you pay the fee for renewal and take all of the required tests to stay current? That's a large amount of money to not work as an RN. Depending on where you live,any reputable agency that would take care of your mother will have it's own people to do the job. You could try getting hired at an agency and then talking the superiors into hiring you,but that didn't work for me when I tried it. It sounds like you're willing to use subterfuge to get the extra money so why are you bothering to ask strangers about it?

Answer 8

You would have to judge what "quite healthy" actually means. However, you might wish to check her into a national franchise Motel. Most have a pool, a restaurant, a telephone were one button can reach the desk, and help, and many people about that could be asked to "keep and eye" on her. If she is active, she would probably enjoy this mini vacation.

I'm an Elder, and I wouldn't want to go into any nursing home unless it was absolutely necessary for health reasons..

Answer 9

I believe it is safer to put her in an elderly home vs. a sitter/LVN or nurse aide. Wheelchair can be rented, but I think it is better if you purchase one, and check your insurance if it is covered - for both the elderly home and the wheelchair. Check the directory for both items and you can ask them for the expenses or internet search.

Answer 10

I'd hire someone.
use a service, not someone who freelances.
find one that does backround checks and screens carefully.
it will be expensive
but its easier on her. she not being taken from her home and she will be given more attention than at a home