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good morning, just checked out the family caregiver and NFCA. I'm glad we have you, Ted, to enlighten us on what is available and is being done by other caregivers. Right, medicare and medicaid could be funding home caregivers and spend less than NH's .
Thanks, everyone, for the feedback and support yesterday. I had applied for a respite grant through the Alzheimer's assoc and they called yesterday and have allocated $500 for home care thru and agency that I can use whenever , so I'm happy about that. They have different programs here, to get caregivers and their caregivees out in the community. A music one, and an art one that sound good. It might be better for the early mid stages, though.
Hi Deef, bobbie, ladee, Jen , Miz, christina, all, lindah,
good luck at the forclosure Ted.
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One more thought about the medicaid thing;

The Nursing Home industry IS an industry and spends tons of money on lobbyists. WE, Family Careivers, are not an industry, do not have a profit motive, and spend nothing on Political Advocates or lobbyists to defend our positon. The closest, strongest and only ( I believe) representation that we have is the National Family Caregivers Association, NFCA, A non-profit group that advocates for us on every level. It's a good group, but relatively small compared to the Billion Dollar senior care industry, and I urge everyone who isn't already a member to join for free at ;

www.thefamilycaregiver.org
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DEEF! Great to see ya! Sorry that it has been such a long cold winter for you, but spring is SO CLOSE, Hang in there!

Ladee, GET THAT LI'L FELLER AWAY FROM THAT THERE MOMMA COW 'FORE HE STARTS MAKIN PROMISES ABOUT HER OLD AGE!!!
(my vote stands with Nobs)

No word from ECU yet, but I know that they recieved my application and are still waiting for my transcripts from my previous college. My financial aid and loan stuff has been accepted. A little more encouragement came from my local AAonA Caregiver Resource Specialist, She knows about my plans and is VERY supportive, yesterday she sent me an invitation to the Eastern Carolina Area Agency on Aging annual two-day conference! and she has told me that she still has some funds for me to get more respite care so I figure that's a perfect way to use it. The conference even offers credit vouchers to students that attend, though I don't know if that will apply to me yet.
This school idea has already started to make me feel as though I am doing something of some importance in my life, (other than what I'm doing for mom which to me is the ultimate priority) and the dread I was carrying around about my future is starting to lift. Somehow I'm feeling a little more calm each day.

Allshegot, That stuff about medicaid does make me angry, although I believe it's typical of ANY Gov't funding program. Too many baeurocrats(?) each coming up with their own great ideas on how things should work instead applying simple proven methods like; "What isn't needed here doesn't get spent here! let's spend it where it is needed"
Maybe that can be my first paper, Comparing medicaid waste in dollars to the amount of dollars Family Caregivers would have needed to keep there loved ones at home. Somehow working in the amounts that are spent on NH's in situations where a little extra at home was all that was needed to make it work. I personally have had to consider giving this up and putting mom in a home, on Medicaid's tab, because i was short a couple hundred each month, even though it would have cost Medicaid ten times what I needed for them to put her in a home.

It seems to me it would be simple enough for them to say; "Well, we can put her in a low-end NH for 2 or 3 grand a month or we can give it to you to cover her caregiving."

But I don't know all the details. YET.

Love to all, I'm off to the forecolsure on mom's house today.
Stay Strong.
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Hearing a lot about the struggles of money woes from evryone, ditto for me to. I'm kinda in a spot where this situation is damned if ya do,damed even more if ya don't. Any ways I thought I would add an interesting discussion, that will probably anger you guys, it angered me. While working in nursing homes for so long you see things that go on that most people dont see, one of them being how all this medicaid money is used by the nursing homes. While all of us struggle to make ends meet while caring for these elders, nursing homes are kinda forced to spend rideculous amounts of money on stupid things (waste) to keep the medicaid going for the individuals. The state pays the nh so much money,this money is used for care and what isn't used is stored in accounts, once the accounts aquire x amount of money if it is not "used up" the individual looses benifits. So the nh litterly goes on spending sprees for the residents to waste the money. I saw them purchase expensive stereo,tv equipment and movies/cds ect. Furniture for one man, the equipment was set out never hooked up or used(he was not kidding,blind and def before dementia) bed bound at the end stages. These things sat for months unused, when he passed the equipment was his belongings so it either went to his gaurdians(unrelated former owners of a very small house like care facility that the man once lived in) or they could donate the things back to the facility for its use. The gaurdians of coarse were happy to come pick up the things. That stuff happens so often. If they could only figure out away to use that money more appropriatly, it would go along way in solving budget problems,or helping at home cargivers. Just thought I would throw that out there for disscusion!
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T-G-I-F vrs S-H-I-T

A business man got on an elevator. When he entered, there was a blonde
already inside who greeted him with a bright, "T-G-I-F." He smiled at her and
replied, "S-H-I-T."

She looked puzzled and repeated, "T-G-I-F," more slowly.
He answered again, "S-H-I-T."

The blond was trying to keep it friendly, so she smiled her biggest smile and said as sweetly as possible, "T-G-I-F."

The man smiled back at her and once again said, "S-H-I-T."

The exasperated blonde finally decided to explain. "T-G-I-F means 'Thank Goodness It's Friday.' Get it, duuhhhhhh?"

The man answered, "S-H-I-T' means 'Sorry, Honey It's Thursday!!!"
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miz yes sil is BG's husband. Just fascinates me the crap he puts up with.
We will add your suggestion for the calf name to the list.... I am waiting for him to be on the earth a few more days before I show myself to him..... I will be talking baby talk to the calf, and if I get to close mama will come after me... I'll stay in the car as running is not an option...I would be screaming,,," I've fallen and I can't get up" as mama is stomping me into the dirt....
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deef!!!!! So good to see you post!! Wow!! You go girl!! I'm glad you're getting a little financial help and so hope your hubby gets that job.

ladee, is sil BG's hubby?? I guess I'm a little cornfused.

bobbie, no phone call from my friend. That's not unusual. They probably had something come up or I know she is going through a very hard time and she may just not feel like it. I know how that goes. I've been there.

Hubby and I are still working on getting this place fixed and cleaned up for the realtor. Hubby mostly. I just used scratch cover on some of the wood work where our little precious kittens played. Those aren't scratches!! They are baby funs!! Tomorrow morning at 8:30 is the inspection on our new house. I am so anxious to see it again. We only looked at it once. We decided to use the little bedroom for our bed and the larger bedroom for the closet. Little bedroom has more windows I think and so it makes sense. The closet will be my Florida room. I have stuff packed away that I haven't seen in over 10 years. Plus we only need room for our bed and a couple bedside tables and a tv in our bedroom. I put an ad in the paper today for someone who is selling a couch with two recliners (blue & cream, good condition) for $100.00. Makes sense to buy it until we can afford the victorian style. So we plan to jump right on that tomorrow morning. We close on the house in two weeks and two days. I can't believe it!! Somebody pinch me!! Please don't let anything go wrong!!

We could name the calf, Decaff or De Caff. Yes indeedy, I had two glasses of alcohol free wine tonight. Now it's time for pain killers. Getting close to bed time.

Night Everyone. Love Yous!!!!

miz
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Ted, have you heard from the school, any news on that front???
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Yes, I will try to catch our little guy for a pic. He stays real close to mama, so it may take a while. then ya'll can tell me how to post it on here. My FB account is floating somewhere in cyber space. Finally got the email fixed, now can't get into my FB account.... oh I have such a tough life, I know...wah wah wah.... sorry ya'll
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bobbie which name , I put two...
Deef....I don't know you yet, so am looking forward to seeing you more often. I know the crew has been very worried about you, so happy you checked in..
Jen...do you collect rocks???? Please say yes, that is my obsession. How symbolic, a rock within a rock... glad you had a busy day... it is good to see you posting again.
another argument at the "BG Corral " , sil must be staring at the black hole. I was inside and still heard it.... whew, glad I am just the hired help.....
More later
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Glad to hear from deef sounds like whirl wind o' BS at your place. just dust devils of annoyance here...what ever got Hamish Macbeth books to veg out on..Did yard work all after noon, got a lot done and really dirty, why must the wind blow against where you want the leaves? Took three aspirin, get a shower...found a rock with a different type of rock in the middle seriously cool. My Rock Now...

Hope every one is doing OK-ish???:)
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DEEF!! It is so good to see from you!!
Everybody loves your sand dollar. It's hanging up in a prominant place.
I am so sorry you are going through the wars and it is really good to see you.
glad you have a tenant. a little $ anyway...
Namenda really helped my mom.

I like Ladeeda's name for the bull, so 2 for that.

Miz! have a good time on the horn with your buddy!
Miss a lot of you guys... I wonder how Bonnie O is and ddotal and and and ...

more later,
lovbob
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Well, here I am! Alive and kicking and screaming and......
Husband has been out of work for 3 weeks, I've been sick with another bad cold for the last 4 weeks, and now am feeling somewhat better, physically and emotionally..Sorry I went AWOL for so long, but it took a long time to climb out of that pit!!!
Husband has a job interview on Friday. keeping my fingers crossed. The $$$ is running out and we have not been accepted for Cobra yet, so we are now out $3200 in insurance payments. Seems to be a backlog of applications and the state is behind in processing them. But the government keeps insisting thing are looking up! F that sh!t!!!!!
Trying to get stuff together for taxes. not much time left and I don't know what to do. Since mom signed the house over to me last year, we now have to file long form and I don't have a clue!!! Will most likely need to file for an extension. If my sibs want their share of the house when Mom is gone, I'll give them a bill for all the expenses this monstrosity dropped in my lap!!! $4000/taxes, $1200 water, $8000/heat, $2000 insurance, $1000/trash, and on and on. Mom pays me room and board in a weekly check, but I use part of that for her food, etc. and with my husband on unemployment, there is barely enough to go around to pay our bills.
I do have a new tenant in the long empty apartment over Mom, so that will help some, but it also adds to the heat and water bills.
Mom is now on Namenda and is doing better than she was. More coherent, takes commands better, and is smiling and laughing more. She is getting a small dose to start and will be on the full dose in another 3 weeks.It has made things easier for Merry and myself to deal with her.
As for sibs, they can forget about their inheritance. I will see to it that all Mom's $ is used to take care of her. Haven't seen or heard from most of them since X-mas day. I've already made the decision to NOT call them if she has to be hospitalized. Merry and I will take care of everything. They don't have time for her now, not even a phone call to see how she is doing, so I figure I won't bother them if there is any bad news. They can find out for themselves!!!
Miz, So sorry to hear about your MIL. Tell Matthew I'm sorry. Glad you are getting things together there!
Bobbie!!!! Did I hear Nick is with you???? Yay!!!
Linda, How are ya girl? Still having your ciggys and beer? Sounds like you and Pa are hanging in there.
Ladeeda, Your poor knee! Hope it gets better soon. New baby bull? Wow! Bet he's cute! How about Pepe or Pedro, names of 2 famous Spanish bullfighters?
Maxine, How's the dating going?
Sskape, Nasty brother! Why do our sibs think we enjoy being in the situation we are in? Glad to hear you are taking care of yourself!
Jen, No job!!! Sorry you have to help Mom now too.
Ted, Sounds like you have your head on straight and you are such a help to everyone here!
I know I am missing a lot of you, and I apologize! It's been a long haul for me and I find myself wishing for all of us to get back to our lives before we don't have any time left to enjoy it!
Everyone take care and I will try to keep up from now on! Kathy
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And congratulations on the paperwork!
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Ladee, can you get a picture of our little guy? maybe that will help with the name.
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I love Montego Montorro. That's the guy's name from Princess Bride right??
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well so far we have
Nobs-----Ted
Ferdinand----Helen
Fernando-----Bobbie
Montego Montorro------rip
Sakima( Hopi word for King) me
Chaska (Native American for first born son) me

We still have time, he is only two days old. Mama is hiding with him today, am going to ride down there in awhile and get a closer look...
BG got the paper signed for me to ask questions, ect. so will go tomorrow and find out what I can
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and careshare, as long as he's a happy boy then it's all good. :)

love,
miz
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careshare, I had a boy cat who went into kidney failure. Turned out he only had one kidney really. The other one was really small. What made the decision for me was I was petting him and he turned and faced the other way from me. I still don't know if it was too soon but the doc said I made the right choice. He was staying in the closet all the time and his urine was just like water cause his kidney wasn't working right. Vet told me, the kid needs a new kidney and we can't do that. So, at 11 years of age I had him put down. His sister lived to be 17. That was agonizing too when I had her put down. That's a long story that I don't care to go into cause it hurts too bad. But, the thing is to not have them suffer. When there is no joy and contentment in their lives... I know how hard it is, believe me. But doing the humane thing is a loving gesture.

love,
miz
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careshare, I totally understand your feelings about your cat being like a human. That's how I am too. It is such a hard decision to end their life. Maybe let the vet guide you. My heart cries for you. It's such a tough thing.

love,
miz
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I like Ferdinand and I like bullshit, and I like King or King Ted. Or perhaps since we get bullshit from our siblings, how about brosis. I don't know. I'm punchy. OMG it's beautiful out right now. Winds have calmed down and it's sunny and pretty warm. Makes such a difference. I found myself in a pretty good mood today. Wow, that's different!! I bought a big bottle of ibruprophen today. Gotta keep this tooth thing in check. Also a thank you card for the financial guy for if/when he pulls off getting us our proof of funds. He really has gone above and beyond for our family and I think I am the only one that has thanked him for that. Although I could be wrong. About getting paid for care giving. My sister thinks it's terrible that I got money each month that went toward my expenses. Says I claimed to do it out of love. Well, I DID!! But there ARE expenses and when you can't work a full time job where am I supposed to pull that money out of???? She said she would never accept money to take care of our mother. Well, she never did and never would and if she did, she would have expenses too. Wait, I remember her making Mom a tuna sandwich one time and taking care of her one day or a day and a night, I can't remember. So anyway... I'll stop ranting now. Gonna fix me some supper and have a smoke on the porch and then I don't know what. My bestest friend is supposed to call me tonight. That will be nice.

love,
miz
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Hi All, I am feeling anxious and sad. My cat's kidney failure is getting worse. I have been off my anti-depressants for a couple months because when my uncle moved in, I started getting weekly migraines. Triptans and ssri's don't mix when taken in large quantities. So now I have no meds to stop me from obsessively worrying.
This cat wandered into our lives, a free spirit granting us the privilege of knowing him. He is extremely intelligent, independent and respects only those who respect his freedom and the love he has for nature. This might seem odd to some, but he is as important to me as any human. I feel like I don't have the right to end his life and yet I don't want him to suffer. My other cat had kidney failure and he followed me around like a little puppy his entire life. He depended on me to make the right decision for him. I guess it is the same with this one, but it feels different. I wish I could ask him what he wants. At least it's not time to let him go. He is still a happy boy.
Laleeda, I like Fernando too.
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HeeHaw... linda I laugh out loud everytime I see you write that!
ssk, I like Fernando too because he stopped to smell the flowers.
It's ladeeda's choice... she gets to name her bull. want to call him King Ted?

I am dealing with grinding parts of the foredeck to get it ready to paint. Primer 2 coats and then topside paint 2 coats. ehhhh.. fiberglass under the paint. itchy. I'm trying to come up with anything to keep from going on deck.

ok, going to get it done.

lovbob
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name the BULL ( SHAME ON YOU, SHAME ON YOU ) HEE HEE HAWWWW .....
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I vote we give our little calf the name Bobbie suggested in honor of ssk,
we'll call him ;

NO B.S. Nobs.

anyone second the motion?
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Ferdinand was the bull that stopped to smell the flowers. I always liked that idea and name given the crunch for time we caregivers have, ladeeda.

ssk, people are jerks about money. Get one of the listings for a decent NH or AL and let him know that he'd spend a lot more for your mom to get care in one than the rent on the house as he threatens would be. And the rent would be taxable income for your mom if it's her house and might affect her medicaid or medicare benefits. You can also price what home health care aides are making and tell him this is value of your services. As a CPA, I find this time of year that folks I never hear from suddenly call me this time of year for free tax advice and argue with me that I'm wrong. People don't seem to value what they get for free. If there is money, as others said, he'll run thru it much faster with her in a home. Take care, Helen
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Bobbie,,, group bull, just had to laugh out loud on that one. How about we call him KING, as Ted takes no bulls**t from anyone.... well maybe Ted doesn't want a bull named after him, let me know Ted.
We'll just have to pool all the suggestions and vote... keep em comin, this is important, and besides gets our minds off all the things and people that are driving us crazy.. hugs
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That's what I sayin.....
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SSK, It sounds like your brother is just threatening you (and stalling) so he doesn't have to pay you. Is he supposed to inherit part of your Mom's estate? Probably, and if so, he doesn't want you or a NH to get the money that he sees as being his one day. But a NH would dig into his share of the inheritance a lot more. Do you trust your brother? Do you know if he is paying himself anything out of your mom's account? Is he getting rent from her?
It seems like there is a conflict of interest, since the best place for your Mom is with you and he is basically blocking that avenue (rent is of course not enough). You certainly can't continue taking care of her without getting paid. I think your brother just thinks that you won't go the NH route, so he is safe to not pay you.
I hope you can see an attorney (or call one as Ted mentioned) and see what can be done. I hope it works out for you!
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Just throwing in my two cents here real quick......Ted is so right......and those that control the money, but don't do the care use that as an excuse to assuage their guilt. ssk....call an attorney....you don't have to be held hostage because your brother is a d***head. And since it concerns your mother's welfare, he can pay the bill. How often does he see mom? That will also affect getting POA changed to you...if he doesn't see her, then he really isn't concerned with his welfare, he is using mom's money to get back at you.......SHAME ON HIM! He gets an Easter boil.
In Vegas.......weather has decided to be not so pretty as forecast last week.....oh well, I'll just stay inside.
Hope everyone is doing okay.....will check in later,

Love and Hugz,
Jam
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