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Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
Hi there - I know there IS a program in NYC through an organization called Dorot.org called friendly visits where they screen and match young volunteers (18 and over) with homebound seniors. The young people are matched with the seniors by interests and make a commitment for a year. Wonderful program.
Assuming you’re not in New York, perhaps do a search for “friendly visits for home bound seniors” and see what you come up with.
I knew a hospice volunteer who quit after repeatedly being left alone with clients who crapped their depends. Either she cleaned up right then or she’d be hearing and smelling it until the family returned with an attitude of why didn’t she take care of it just this once on a human level.
Every County has a "Senior Services"agency, or check your local Department on Aging. Depending on your state and income of the participant, no charge services may be available. They will set up an appointment to do an assessment of the participant. This assessment is what is called a "DON" Score, Determination of Need. If the participant falls under the financial threshold, service hours will be assigned by your Case Manager, and you will choose the Home Care Aid Agency of your choice. Once you decide which agency is for you, Senior Services will send them your Person Centered Plan of Care chosen by you and your CM. The agency will reach out to you to speak about the services offered on your POC (plan of care). We will choose a HCA (home care aide) to assist you in your home, or you may have a family member be paid to be your Family Home Care Aid ( FHCA, approved by your state's Department on Aging). Not so complicated if you apply for services before you might feel like you actually need them. Best Wishes!!!!
Our city has a Friendly Visitor volunteer program. I think I found it by searching for "volunteer opportunities with the elderly."
I did various activities with several seniors--taking them to the grocery store or doctor's appointments, doing the shopping for them, shoveling their driveway, or simply sitting with them and talking.
Hoping this helps, and that you find what you're looking for.
My 88 y/o mother lives with me. She is on hospice and is bedbound. We pay someone to come to the house M-Sat for 1.5 hours to change her, clean her, change bedding if needed, wash her hair, and generally just talk to her. Mom looks forward to the visits. I work from home, but it gives me a much needed break. The helper is with Visiting Angels. They charge $75 for that 1.5 hours. Mom gets enough SS to pay for it.
I would just love to have volunteers that would sit and interact with my husband, take him for a drive, etc. I am no longer able to transport him due to caregiver related health issues. I have caregivers; but interacting with him, they don't do that. The county senior program here that I utilized for a volunteer, exploited us, and I was told there are no other volunteers available.
The problem with volunteering is that it very quickly veers into areas that need to be paid, not just hands on toileting but services like transportation.
Are you looking for someone that will JUST visit? Many Senior Centers or senior Volunteer groups have "companion" sitters or visitors that will just visit. They can NOT do ANY "hands on" care. For the most part from the Senior Center or a Volunteer group there would be no cost and the visits might be limited to 1 time a week. Many Caregiving Agencies have Companion Sitters. Cost would depend on your location. Again they probably can do no hands on care. You may have to agree to a certain number of hours per week. (example 4 hour shifts with a minimum of a 12 hour week)
The first call you should make would be to your local Senior Center or Area Agency on Aging and see if there are any programs that you may qualify for. If the person is a Veteran the VA my have programs as well. To determine benefits contact your local Veterans Assistance Commission. If you are involved with a local church or other religious group you could ask if they have any programs that may help.
@Grandma1954 is absolutely right. Start with your city's Senior Services. Every County in the US has at least one. Their assistance is paid by the State and Local Government. They assist Seniors for free. If you or your LO are under yearly allowed assets, your/their care should be covered by Medicare and Medicaid/supplemental insurance. Commonly called the Community Car Program. Start your process ASAP! After Donald is done stripping "we the people" of Medicare and Food Programs there may be nothing left. I pray for all of us.
Contact your local Area Council on the Aging. They will help you to find providers. Depending on your state and insurance policy, they may even be covered. They are not by my insurance, and it costs about $40/hr (Eastern Washington). The providers watch over my wife, fix her meals, and do some light housework. I finally found one that would help her with her insulin pump for diabetes, but most will not.
It depends on what your needs are. A companion would offer socializing, which sounds like what you are inquiring about "visits"
A caregiver will do other needs (cooking / preparing meals, cleaning, laundry).
How to get started:
There are several ways to consider:
1) Be clear on what you actually are looking for (social visits or a care provider). Write down all the duties / needs so when you interview, you can ask each person the same questions.
2) Do you want to work with / through an agency or hire independent contractors (which is what I am (for over 13 years).
a - If you hire directly, write up a contract and have both sign it. List duties, pay schedule (amount) b - Ask for copy of their Driver's License and insurance c - I was required to get a TB test every year (up to you) d - Covid testing-do you want to know if the person gets tested ? Ask for proof if so. e - I had to get finger printed which is a criminal check.
(If you go through an agency, they should do all this pre-screening.)
Try out for a two week trial period. Review after a week and ask how things are going and if the person has any questions / concerns.
Ask for references (both personal and work). Experience Possibly ask about education if a concern to you How long working in the field Give a 'what if' or 'how would you handle this situation: Give them a situation you would like to know how they would handle it.
For a companion, I would highly recommend: - Contact colleges. Contact employment office and write up a small ad. I would ask for students studying in the fields of:
-- geriatrics / -- psychology / counseling / -- nursing / -- any health field -- perhaps Art (good socialization to do art projects together)
Then ask to be transferred to Department heads in the above mentioned disciplines and ask them to announce to their classes about this job prospect. (Have an ad prepared that an instructor can read to the class).
For a student, I might pay $15/hr (with raise after a specified timeframe). $15 in some areas may seem very low and in other areas, high. It depends on what you are asking for and skills / experience / education.
I would try it out for a couple of weeks and then re-evaluate. Students have an opportunity to work around their school schedules and earn a little money while gaining some experience which could be very helpful to them on a resume..
When I got into this field, I studied with / took TEEPA SNOW's webinars for close to two years. As they are webinars, a person can do them whenever they want. I am sure I paid for these although its been many years. I printed out EVERYTHING provided and keep / kept in two binders. Not everyone likes to use paper and print out (I do).
I do not know of any other care providers that took trainings as I did. I had a counseling background so was very interested to learn as much as I could. I was very interested in the field of brain changes / dementia.
In any case, you or a student may be interested in learning more about dementia / how the brain works and changes, and how to LISTEN and communicate with a person inflicted. It was invaluable for me.
Are you asking for yourself or for another person? Be very clear on what you want from someone to insure the best match as possible. As students (or even professoinals / workers) come and go, you might want to consider hiring more than one person (and/or have a back-up plan / person in case someone cancels, or if a student, after a semester, they leave).
Personally, I really enjoy working with people inflicted with dementia, and offering socialization visits. Gena / Touch Matters
Gena, how do people find you? Do you advertise, and where; are you listed in certain websites or medical groups? My wife has a PEG tube for 95% of oral intake, including meds ( meds are about every 2 hours so I am essentially homebound, do you provide that portion of care? Looking for suggestions. You are not long winded, you are informative and thorough. Thank you
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
I know there IS a program in NYC through an organization called Dorot.org called friendly visits where they screen and match young volunteers (18 and over) with homebound seniors. The young people are matched with the seniors by interests and make a commitment for a year. Wonderful program.
Assuming you’re not in New York, perhaps do a search for “friendly visits for home bound seniors” and see what you come up with.
i wish you the best,
JB
I did various activities with several seniors--taking them to the grocery store or doctor's appointments, doing the shopping for them, shoveling their driveway, or simply sitting with them and talking.
Hoping this helps, and that you find what you're looking for.
The problem with volunteering is that it very quickly veers into areas that need to be paid, not just hands on toileting but services like transportation.
Many Senior Centers or senior Volunteer groups have "companion" sitters or visitors that will just visit.
They can NOT do ANY "hands on" care.
For the most part from the Senior Center or a Volunteer group there would be no cost and the visits might be limited to 1 time a week.
Many Caregiving Agencies have Companion Sitters.
Cost would depend on your location.
Again they probably can do no hands on care.
You may have to agree to a certain number of hours per week. (example 4 hour shifts with a minimum of a 12 hour week)
The first call you should make would be to your local Senior Center or Area Agency on Aging and see if there are any programs that you may qualify for.
If the person is a Veteran the VA my have programs as well. To determine benefits contact your local Veterans Assistance Commission.
If you are involved with a local church or other religious group you could ask if they have any programs that may help.
A companion would offer socializing, which sounds like what you are inquiring about "visits"
A caregiver will do other needs (cooking / preparing meals, cleaning, laundry).
How to get started:
There are several ways to consider:
1) Be clear on what you actually are looking for (social visits or a care provider).
Write down all the duties / needs so when you interview, you can ask each person the same questions.
2) Do you want to work with / through an agency or hire independent contractors (which is what I am (for over 13 years).
a - If you hire directly, write up a contract and have both sign it.
List duties, pay schedule (amount)
b - Ask for copy of their Driver's License and insurance
c - I was required to get a TB test every year (up to you)
d - Covid testing-do you want to know if the person gets tested ? Ask for proof if so.
e - I had to get finger printed which is a criminal check.
(If you go through an agency, they should do all this pre-screening.)
Try out for a two week trial period. Review after a week and ask how things are going and if the person has any questions / concerns.
Ask for references (both personal and work).
Experience
Possibly ask about education if a concern to you
How long working in the field
Give a 'what if' or 'how would you handle this situation: Give them a situation you would like to know how they would handle it.
For a companion, I would highly recommend:
- Contact colleges. Contact employment office and write up a small ad. I would ask for students studying in the fields of:
-- geriatrics / -- psychology / counseling / -- nursing / -- any health field
-- perhaps Art (good socialization to do art projects together)
Then ask to be transferred to Department heads in the above mentioned disciplines and ask them to announce to their classes about this job prospect.
(Have an ad prepared that an instructor can read to the class).
For a student, I might pay $15/hr (with raise after a specified timeframe).
$15 in some areas may seem very low and in other areas, high.
It depends on what you are asking for and skills / experience / education.
I would try it out for a couple of weeks and then re-evaluate.
Students have an opportunity to work around their school schedules and earn a little money while gaining some experience which could be very helpful to them on a resume..
When I got into this field, I studied with / took TEEPA SNOW's webinars for close to two years. As they are webinars, a person can do them whenever they want. I am sure I paid for these although its been many years. I printed out EVERYTHING provided and keep / kept in two binders. Not everyone likes to use paper and print out (I do).
I do not know of any other care providers that took trainings as I did.
I had a counseling background so was very interested to learn as much as I could. I was very interested in the field of brain changes / dementia.
In any case, you or a student may be interested in learning more about dementia / how the brain works and changes, and how to LISTEN and communicate with a person inflicted. It was invaluable for me.
Are you asking for yourself or for another person?
Be very clear on what you want from someone to insure the best match as possible. As students (or even professoinals / workers) come and go, you might want to consider hiring more than one person (and/or have a back-up plan / person in case someone cancels, or if a student, after a semester, they leave).
Personally, I really enjoy working with people inflicted with dementia, and offering socialization visits. Gena / Touch Matters
Thank you