My wife has Dystonia which is similar to parkinsons, and she is concerned about someone checking on her if I have to go to the hospital for a few days. She doesn't drive and we don't have any friends or relatives that can help us. It would only take 5 or 10 minutes of someone's time to come to the door and ask if she's ok. She is on a liquid diet & can take care of herself but is kinda weak. She sometimes has seizures but they only last a few seconds. I broke my wrist and the doctor said I might have to have surgery. We are both senior citizens and long time residents of Orange Co.
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Also try searching this site for many options for elder care.
Did you find any of the suggestions/ideas useful?
M88
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Location: Apopka, FL
Address: 988 Woodcock Rd # 200, Orlando, FL 32803
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I wish you a successful surgery and quick recovery.
Good thing you live in a metropolitan area.
There have to be dozens of Agencies with many options.
They are the most qualified to do what you need to be caring for your dear
wife, while you take care of you!
Google "Home Health Care" in Orange County.
Call the surgery center or hospital where you are going to have the surgery. They have been thru similar situations before and know what would be best.
Remember, when they discharge you, and you get home, you're going to be very groggy, and YOU will need help with things for about a day, or half a day.
Also, the surgery center will not let you go home without someone who will drive you home. (A cab will be allowed).
It may be a good idea to have the person that the agency sends look after the 2 of you for the first few days, while you get used to the sling, and manage your own pain control.
Please do respond to your question here. We honestly care!
Respectfully,
M88 in RURAL California, where we have nothing! :^(
First you have to drive over, and CA traffic is a nightmare. Then get into the apartment building and to the person's home.
Count on at least one hour each time she is checked on, and that could be phone calls if she is able to answer the phone. If she doesn't answer then there should be a safety plan in place ( calling 911)
Check with Catholic Charities in your area, they charge on a sliding fee scale and you don't have to be Catholic to use the services.
Have you developed a long term plan in case something happens to you? What if you have a stroke or heart attack, or even die before her?
To keep her safe you need to make a long term plan in case of emergency.
Contact your local Senior Center Social Worker or Area Agency on Aging for ideas and information on paid agencies who would stop and check on her. You could arrange transportation for her to spend the day time with you at the hospital and just go home at night.
It wouldn't be safe to tempt fate and leave her for several days without a good system in place. The last thing you want on your mind is for her to have fallen and laid on the floor for hours or even days while you were gone.
Do you have a church you could call?
Or you might want to contact Orange County Health Department and see what they suggest. My county has some people who provide respite, but I don't know the circumstances.
You could also arrange for the neighbors to check in on her periodically.
Does she have a medic alert pendant?