Where can I begin? My father has medicare. He falls constantly at night time (between 11pm and 8am) attempting to use the restroom. He has mild dementia, and knows how to take off his alarm (it clips on and off). How do I go about finding an adult sitter for him in the evening or if it is covered by medicare. He is currently in a rehab / LTC facility.
2007-10-29 10:27:55 · 12 answers · asked by confucious 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Good answers so far, he has been in another facility that was less attentive. He takes his alarm off and even if he presses the button, he has an accident on himself and this is very demeaning to him. There is a 24/7 night shift, but they are lazy or ignore him. This is common, so I can't expect them to change. I think a night sitter would help, but I'm looking for multiple ideas. Thank you!
2007-10-29 10:55:25 · update #1
If he is in a facility, there should be staff there at night to assist him to the restroom and make sure his alarm is in place. The facility I work at has laser alarms on the beds for people who are fall risks. These alert the staff to come and help whether the person rings for assistance or not. If you believe there is neglect on the part of the staff, contact your local Long Term Care Ombudsman to negotiate a solution. If he is going to be coming home to stay with you, the facility may be able to recommend somebody for in-home care. I'm afraid you may have to contact Medicare to find out what type of care will be covered, and to what extent. In-home care can be quite expensive.
To the answerer who said that staff is stretched thin, I'd have to say I agree. The other night I had to work alone (supposed to be 2 staff at night, 3 in day) with nearly 20 residents in a special dementia unit. It was a zoo. One woman made it to the bathroom and halfway back to bed before I managed to answer her call light because I was helping somebody else. I felt awful, but it was all I could do to get in to check on her before I was called away to another room. Often, there are adequate staff members on the schedule, but when somebody calls in sick and no replacement is available, everybody else working that shift just has to do a bit more.
2007-10-29 10:59:33 · answer #1 · answered by cindylouwho38 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry I don't understand something - if your dad is in a rehab/ltc facility there should be a night shift that is keeping an eye on him.
One thing I learned since my mother is in ltc/assisted living is that you absolutely MUST run ramshod over staff - visit often - complain - make sure they know that YOU know the level of care they give and/or are NOT giving.
My mom does the same thing, however, staff helps her to the bathroom with frequent checks on her, and gets her back into bed. Yes, she fell once recently and bruised her face, but those injury-falls have lessened.
Good luck and prayers go with you and your father.
2007-10-29 10:33:41 · answer #2 · answered by sage seeker 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The two previous answers are the best. [that knowledge comes from one who has had my parent in a ltc facility.]
Knowing that he is in rehab., just now...speak to the person[s] in charge and get recommendations for his 'aftercare' at home. Also, speak w/his doctor[s] and do the same. It won't hurt to speak w/a Social services rep. too. They may provide someone to visit during the day or evenings.
Luckily he is a man, because that urinal or portable toilet can be sure used instead and have next to him instead of walking in the 'dark' to get all the way over to the restroom. [a cause for more falling/stumbling that can break a neck or hip which leads to more board/care visits.]
When you find some resolvements, please do make use of many little nightlights, that turn off in the day, or at least a low watt lamp. My hubby and I use them; they are valuable to us!
At the last resort, he may need to reside in a S.N.F. or LTC facility. [because he may amble somewhere and get 'lost' or hurt] Medicare/social services w/ pay for that. [you may check into that, also.]
This is what my mom had to do; strokes left her unable to get up and walk...and more.
EDIT: Just because you 'insist' that someone be there for him and do a better job of caring for him, DOESN'T mean they will. After you leave, it goes on as before... You will be 'labeled' as a little troublemaker. I'd found the workers leaving their clothing in mom's room, their drinks/food, taking things that were mom's, putting things in there that weren't hers.. much more, ugh! It never seemed to help that I'd complain about their irresponsiblities. [Ombudsman didn't help either.] My mom was hit in the face by a male patient and left bruises!
Blessings and best wishes for you and him.
2007-10-29 11:00:04 · answer #3 · answered by caves51 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Look for ads in your local newspapers....there are many experienced people who are looking for this type of work.(Check references thoroughly.) Years ago I worked as a private geriatric aide. Families wanted someone in the room with their parent at night. That's when there's less staff, and also when many elderly patients wander in their confusion. First you need to get the ok from the facility, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. (Even the facility itself may have a list of names of people they can recommend.)
Sorry, I'm not sure if it's covered by medicare....that you'll have to check out.
Good luck...and I hope it all works out for you and your dad.
Gracie
2007-10-29 11:13:02 · answer #4 · answered by night-owl gracie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Medicare will pay some but of her aid. Depends on her income how much. I suggest Visiting Angels, it is chain of in home or hospital sitters, Cna's, and nurses. Pay varies according to experience.
The sad thing is the sitter makes $8 and hour and due to overhead you will be charge $16.
My cousin and I had Visiting Angels franchise in Florida.
With a bonded company there will have been a background check.
2007-10-29 12:13:14 · answer #5 · answered by Southern Comfort 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Part time job is in a asst. living facility and there is night shift awake and on duty all night. Trouble is there are not enough employees for that many patients and most of them dont ring their buzzers for assistance. Maybe a different facility is needed with more supervision. Most patients have a lifeline alarm on that they can press but dont use it until they have already fallen .
2007-10-29 10:40:34 · answer #6 · answered by Aloha_Ann 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a device that is called a condom cath. It is an external catheter that attaches much like a condom, there is a tube that drain either it an attachemnt on his leg (in a bag) or can hand from the bed so that there is no need to get up. There is no tubing inserted so you are safe from infections.
You were not clear on if this is at the LTF or at home, there are many agencies that will provide home care, medicare pays because it saves mega bucks as opposed to paying a LTF,
2007-10-29 11:25:06 · answer #7 · answered by slk29406 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You really do need to listen to what SAGE has said this is not just the truth but, also the law, I have heard of a lot of places being closed down with a high fine
2007-10-29 12:02:26 · answer #8 · answered by Jan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a local Bureau for the Aging? I would contact them. Also, I would contact the social service worker in your local hospital, she might have some good leads for you. I wish you the best of luck.
2007-10-29 23:20:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is sad when people reach that stage in their lives, but can't help much because I don't live in the USA. I do really hope you find some answer to this problem.
2007-10-29 11:59:06 · answer #10 · answered by Telma G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋