I'm going to be blunt and I'm sorry if it sounds offensive but this is the reality of the situation and how serious it it: "Bedbound" means having to clean her feces and urine representing a regular schedule of diaper changing around the clock, feeding her, doing range of motion care, and turning her regularly. If you don't attend to her basic needs her skin will break down and you will get bedsore. These form rather quickly. You must also ensure the perineal (buttock and genital region) area remains clean to prevent urinary tract infections. Yes you will need a Hoyer lift, and transferring her from the bed to the wheelchair is going to be a daunting task. You need to be trained. Are you ready for all of this? This will be a CONSTANT grind and you will receive no help -- the cost of CNAs are enormous. Medicare isn't going to help unless she's on hospice.
You will need a hospital bed AND a hoyer lift if she can't walk. Leave her where she is, trying to do this all at home will kill you. People who think they can do all that are burned out within a month.
Have to say this- a hoyer should be avoided until all other options have been considered. They can be difficult/dangerous for both the person and the caregiver (and slings are a real pain). Also- a person being "slinged" no longer is using whatever leg strength they have- which accelerates overall decline of muscle tone/strength. A person having one good arm/leg is plenty for many people to safely/independently bed transfer. Likewise a person with no leg strength (as long as they have reasonable upper body strength). If a person can "help themselves" they are increasing their muscle use which is a good thing vs.straining a caregiver. However the right assistive products may be required. I see lots of innovative items at national tradeshows- please let me know if I can help anyone with suggestions.
We were able to put my dad on Hospice and from then on Hospice took care of everything...medicine, hospital bed, walker, oxygen...everything. They were amazing! The only thing they couldn't do is care for him when he went to the Hospital. He had to be taken off Hospice to be admitted for his broken hip, and then we put him back on hospice when he got out of the hospital. Sadly though, he died that night. Hospice then, again, took over and came to the assisted living and stayed well past midnight until they could sign the paperwork with the funeral home and see him off. Then they arranged for the hospital bed and oxygen concentrator to be picked up. They followed up with a beautiful card signed by everyone at the Hospice office. The last two months of dad's life would have been so much more complicated without hospice.
Hospice does not stay at your house though...the day do day work will be yours. They will pay visits to check on her health. A Dr. will have to recommend her for Hospice though..as not all elders are candidate's for hospice.
Bless you for wanting to care for your mom, and best to you!
Medicare will pay for the hospital bed - they are leased. Your doctor or hospice should be able to arrange it with a durable medical goods company - delivery is usually witin 24 hours. They will coordinate with discharge from the NH. As for bringing her home - kudos to you and hospice should be able to help! Actually, dealing with nursing homes is quite stressful (if you are involved and vigilant of care.) Bringing her home is doable and there are services and programs like Nursing Homes Without Walls and such (check with your office of the aging or an elder care lawyer about resources.) that can help with aides, supplies and in-home medical care. In NY we have the NHTD Waiver program which is a Medicaid program that sets up individuals who are nursing home eligible but wish to live in the community. You then select a Service Coordinator and an agency to work through and they help walk you through all the services and they help keep an eye on your senior loved one. BTW: I've been doing it for years now and I have not burned out!! I felt more burned out when mom was under the care of people who just treated her as though she was an insitutionalized being who didn't matter that much! Good luck!
Call your area council on ageing. Also, if she is near terminal, talk to your doctor about hospice care. Yes, keeping her at home will be terribly difficult and stressful but you can always transfer her to a nursing home if/when you wear out. You will certainly need caregiving assistance at home if you are self pay. Medicaide won't pay for it unless it's hospice. Good luck. You are embarking on a very difficult but satisfying journey. Your heart will tell you what is best. Keep up with support groups, research, research, research and keep asking questions.
When my mom came home from the hospital, her family doctor ordered the fully electric hospital bed and a Barton chair. Medicare and TriCare cover the monthly rental costs. Just so you'll know if she has no insurance, the rent on the hospital bed is like $200/month, and the Barton chair is $636 per month. The Barton chair lies flat like a stretcher & pulls her from the bed to the stretcher and then folds back into a chair, and vice versa. Very handy & avoids transfer difficulties.You can google barton chair and watch a video about it. Nursing homes use them to prevent injuries from lifting and shifting patients. Your mom's current facility should have a social worker or ombudsman who can facilitate access to info for you.
Bless you for wanting to care for your mom, and best to you!
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