* Try your local senior center. *If you're close to a geriatrics clinic, see if they have a recommendation of where to look. * If you're in an area that has many free little newspapers, look for one focused on the aging, and those often give suggestions. * If your person was in the military or spouse (or maybe even a child, too, but not sure) of a retired military member, check the local VA.
Visiting Angels are nation wide and have great always screened care givers! Give them a call and talk to them, if they can not help you they can direct you to who can.
I wish you lived near me ( western New York state). Agency fees are mostly unaffordable for my mother, and the one I did try was supposed to have screened, with criminal, DMV, background checks, etc., but two women didn't show for scheduled interviews, one was very iffy, and one had very objectionable photos of herself that i found on the internet when I did a google search of her name.......anyone looking for someone should Google them, to see what else is out there, that the agency checks don't pick up. So, I'm going with a day care program a couple of days a week, and one person I know who has limited availability, and I have had to cut back my work hours to take care of mom. You may want to spread the word to your neighbors and friends that you are available and what your rate would be, also post on community bulletin boards in churches, banks, grocery stores....best of luck to you!
c. 1966-8, my dad had karma for a fantastic retired RN to live in with my grandfather. He did not have dementia - was just mid/upper 80s, widower, and blind. Fast-forward to 2014, and following my parents' yellowed/tarnished/lesser "golden years" of 1985-8, I have been a med lecture junkie, self-employed medical transcriptionist (which has flopped down the toilet since obamacare) -- so I would very much like to use my hyper-compassion as an independent caregiver, in the same was as Clara in 1966-8 did. I have put out feelers to retired and a few practicing doctors. I have put out feelers to churches. It's really hard these days, that nobody trusts anyone, everyone's skeptical of everyone. In 1985-8, I did take the CNA, HHA, and advanced CNA courses, got the State certification (for whatever it was worth in my case) - but not gainfully working as a Caregiver, was not worth paying the (then) $10 per year fee.... (certification programs are just excuses for revenue - I've taken lots in several different fields, and the "teachers" weren't worth it, and the time/"tuition" was essentially wasted) I hear horror stories of caregivers thru agencies.... the patients' families would have been better off going with someone like me (I know - sadly, there aren't many me's in this world). Just as similarly, as I and a couple childless friends say, we need a "me" to take care of "me" one day... read "we" each).
sharirose in Appalachian area - too bad we're cross the country from each other, I'd love to help/assist. Unfortunately, as graying of America and sickness in even youngers, and the caregiving industry has changed - word of mouth and networking are my outlets, which don't seem to be working, for all the above drawbacks. I'd love viable workable suggestions....
I went to an aging agency and they had several people available to help my mom but the the 24/7 fee was way beyond my means. $300 per 24 hours. That's why for years I did the caregiving myself until I burned out. Through word of mouth I found two wonderful caregivers who don't charge by the hour and have settled to work for a price I can afford. If you sign up with an agency you will be well compensated by people who can afford agency fees. Good luck
My friend lives in Pa she has her Mom with Alzheimer's in an adult day care 5 half days a week! She says it gives her a great deal of relief and freedom! Good luck hun I wish you the best and I wish you peace!
A word of advice----changing caregivers as the dementia worsens is a disaster. Although his dementia may be mild, I would recommend hiring someone that will stay on as the disease progesses IMO. Good luck
you can start at website Care (I've seen commercials for them) also your State office of Aging may have information. You need to make sure whoever you hire is thoroughly screened. There are too many unscrupulous people out there who are looking for people to take advantage of. You can try home health agencies and others out there who do that work for you. Your county may help offset some of the cost depending on your loved ones income.
*If you're close to a geriatrics clinic, see if they have a recommendation of where to look.
* If you're in an area that has many free little newspapers, look for one focused on the aging, and those often give suggestions.
* If your person was in the military or spouse (or maybe even a child, too, but not sure) of a retired military member, check the local VA.
Just as similarly, as I and a couple childless friends say, we need a "me" to take care of "me" one day... read "we" each).
sharirose in Appalachian area - too bad we're cross the country from each other, I'd love to help/assist.
Unfortunately, as graying of America and sickness in even youngers, and the caregiving industry has changed - word of mouth and networking are my outlets, which don't seem to be working, for all the above drawbacks. I'd love viable workable suggestions....
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