All we need is a person to give my dad a shower once or twice a week. Can I get just that service?

If he does not mind cold water, is a warm day and has privacy outdoors, a garden hose could be an option.

Medicare won’t pay for just a bathing aide but will pay for one if therapy is needed or skilled nursing. Ask your dr to order HH and therapy. When they come for an evaluation ask for the bathing aide as well. Since your dad had mobility issues the therapy will help. 

I went through the same thing recently.

Yes, your doctor can order a bath aid to be paid under medicare. But that's short term, like 20 days.

I called a bunch of agencies and all had minimums so it was $75-$100 per shower. Then I lucked out and found someone by asking around that was willing to do it with no minimums. So I suggest you try the same. I was asking everyone I could from calling up nursing homes to senior centers to random elderly people on the street.

You can call your commission on aging based on income and needs they may be able to provide you with one.

Maybe he doesn't want to be involved with a stranger, so is there anyone who is Family who could be involved in it? Maybe he just doesn't want to have that stranger involved with him. Does he have a chair in the shower? He might not want to be seen naked by someone.

The in-home place we found was strictly non-medical, but they did help with bathing and we asked that up front. Ask about the minimum number of hours per week - I'm thinking it was maybe 6 hours per week minimum with a 3 hour minimum each time they came. So, we did twice a week for 3 hours - which I told them was primarily for bathing, hair washing, and keeping her company so she could not sleep all the time or stare at the TV. Of course, Mom then claimed she was not being bathed (actually, hygiene was better than ever & one of her helpers even provided at haircut at no extra fee). Mom claimed the workers did nothing - when it was obvious there had been a board game played and quality time had been spent. I guess just be prepared for that possibility - some people don't like helpers coming in - even though they need it.

I’m not sure, but I believe if you call your doctor and ask for an order, Medicare may pay for a bath aide. My husband had one for a few weeks and it was covered.

In my experience, most home health care agencies will be happy to help with that, although they might require a minimum number of hours each week.

Yes. In fact this website has a place on the Home page where you can search for caregivers in your area. We used it and were very happy!