I've just had my Mother move in with me. How do I get a social worker to help out?

Depending on what her health conditions are, one of her doctors might consider scripting for home health care, which in my experience begins with a home care nurse. If the doctor will also script for a home health care aide, that would give you an opportunity for some well needed rest.

I agree that utilities should be addressed. Contact the providers; utilities with which I'm familiar have budget plans that allow for flat rates monthly to spread out the flux in seasonal usages.

Also check to see if you can get food assistance from places like Forgotten Harvest, Focus Hope, etc. Research your state government to see if there's an elder agency that can offer help. In Michigan, there's an excellent governmental agency that offers advice and assistance on getting help, including with food.

Contact local senior centers and inquire about their programs. Depending on your community, there may be a variety of organizations with which they're familiar but are otherwise unknown to the public.

There's also a group called Angel Ministries which offers advice on a variety of programs: http://www.angel-ministries.org/#/programs-calendar. This group used to provide food packages for flat rates, but in a quick check I didn't see that on their website. Some more checking would be in order if this might help.

Lighthouse agency also offers advice and some assistance on different issues. Google or other search engines will help you locate these in your area and state.

As to the physical and emotional drain, try to schedule periodic down times when you both can just put aside all the health issues and enjoy each other's company. Listen to music, just chat, play cards, dominos or do something relaxing. If you don't find time to recuperate, you'll end up emotionally and physically drained.

If you know any neighbors, ask if they or others have pets that could come and visit. Pet therapy will relax and refresh both you and your mother.

You mentioned stopping your work. Did you quit or are you off under FMLA?

Get in touch with your local Area Agency on Aging right away. Do either of you have SSI or other income at all? It sounds like you need either a skilled nursing facility or a community alternative waiver program to give you enough respite to allow for part-time work, and either of those things may be covered by Medicaid.

I had all utilities on a budget and we were eligible for gov asst. Plus she had social security. It was still a tight stretch, but i made it work. Hospitals have social workers that can help and provide info. Call all places where u receive ur bills and explain ur situation. They can also help.

Sorry, in wandering around creating my message I missed your original question. In my experience, a social worker's involvement starts with a prescription for home care; an RN typically does an intake assessment, at which time you can request a social worker's involvement.

Zinkie, the wheelchair and hospital bed should be wholly covered if she has any kind of decent medical coverage, but not the commode. I believe you can get a commode at Walgreen's or CVS for $50 or less. Our medical coverage also allows for a home health worker to come for no more than 8 hours a day and not more than 35 hours a week. Call your mom's medical coverage and find out. I didn't even think of it until my daughter put a bug in my ear. Sure enough! I think sometimes we caregivers don't fully realize all the things that are out there for us. :)

Sounds like you may have to bite the bullet and put her in a nursing home. It also sounds like you need to keep working to support yourself.

Do those of you with truly great advice understand the time involved in securing help? The paperwork, the in-home assessments, scheduling, doctor visits + all the day-to-day domestic tasks amd then giving a mother adequate care, loving? It is simply defeating.

In due time, you are going to find out that you've taken on too much. Best bet for mom=Nursing Home.

Often times when social workers come to the house they can see dirty dishes in the sink as elder abuse. If they are not a very nice social worker and know that you have belongings that they feel they want they can report you to the APS. Make sure you keep your belongings that are part of family history or heritage hidden because if you hire a home health care service later research them. Make sure that they do not have any skeletons in their closet. Make sure the health care workers do not have any prior arrest for theft, DUI, sexual offenses, make sure that their records are clear of any and all civil disputes because they can work with a social worker to get family heirlooms and possibly involve the APS worker that could file a court case to become the POA and change the living will to result to all the assets going to APS and the health care workers so check these people out thoroughly before hiring anyone or bringing anyone to the house. Civil court cases with APS and home care can drag on for years and be very costly and ruin your rep. so check these people out first.

Like own456 said, I would be very leery of having a LSW come to my house. They are looking for signs of elder abuse. Then you would have more problems if they invented a problem Like wwpwin said you may have to to the NH route.