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Stephanie71 Asked September 2021

What happens if I get covid? I’m an only child and there are no other family members. I am vaccinated.

I am a caretaker for my mom and aunt. I do not live with them. We hired a private pay M-F helper for the day time. They are both essentially non-ambulatory and are fully dependent on me or the helper for meals and some health care. They have no cognitive problems.
So, what the heck do I do if I get covid and have to quarantine? I can’t seem to find an answer anywhere!

Sunnydayze Sep 2021
I lived so many years of my life in the fear of “what if.” Something will eventually happen regarding our roles as caregivers…an unplanned surgery, Covid breakthrough…whatever. The thing is, sometimes these events teach us that life has a way of taking care of things when they happen. I’m also an only child and we have a tendency to feel hugely responsible. My heart goes out to you.

lealonnie1 Sep 2021
"What if" the caregivers get the virus, is an even bigger question to ask? If your mom and aunt require THAT much assistance on a daily basis, they belong in either Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing where help is available to them 24/7, with or without the virus being a factor.

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LavenderBear Sep 2021
Wondering if the helper is vaccinated? Where we seems like about a third of the Home Health Care workers are choosing to be tested instead. I'd check into that.

I'm in a similar situation. Only child, no back up. Mom lives with me. (Bedridden) I provide 24/7 care with occasional PT visits.

I'm vaccinated & she's had her first jab. One more for her next week. We've decided to hold off on the Home Care (PT) for awhile.
She had the Health Department stop by the house to give her the vaccine.

We've lost family members to the virus, and a friend just died over the weekend. Thus our choice to hold off on Home Care Visits for now.

Somehow it's become political where we live & the organizations get upset when we ask them if their staff has been vaccinated.

You just do your best. Restrictions were lifted here in May of 2020, and I've worn masks, etc. Shopped as normally, and haven't brought back the virus to her. I don't really worry about it, just do as best as I can.
Stephanie71 Sep 2021
Hi, thanks for responding! Would you be willing to share any insight about being an “only.” Even with hired help, a tremendous amount of responsibility. My husband cared for his mom- but he had 3 sisters!
againx100 Sep 2021
I wouldn't worry too much about what will you do if X happens. Any one of us could have something happen that renders us unable to provide the level of care we are currently providing. I don't have a backup plan.

But, in reading your profile, sounds like your mom and aunt are demanding a lot more care than they actually need. You might need to want to look at setting some boundaries anyways. They need to get up and be as independent as possible. Take care of each other, etc.

funkygrandma59 Sep 2021
It's sad now that the vaccinated still have to worry about getting Covid huh? Kind of defeats the purpose of the getting the shot in the first place. It was sold as the end all be all, where we could be around those we love and not have to worry any more about getting the virus, and now as you're discovering you still have to worry about the what if's and who will care for your mom and aunt if you do.
I guess your only option if you were to get sick, is that you will just have to hire 24/7 care for them both until you are feeling better and are done with your quarantining. Hopefully that won't be needed, as most things we waste our time worrying about never come to fruition anyway, so try thinking positively. Best wishes.

ElizabethY Sep 2021
Why not hire in assistance in that case? Are they vaccinated too?
Stephanie71 Sep 2021
Thanks for responding. They have a helper, but realistically you can’t expect them to work 24 hours a day.

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