We got a student nurse for $10 an hour. The advantage is she doesn't get scared off with changes in status. You could advertise (we put up flyers) with the local colleges.
The FDA just approved OLYSIO and SOVALDI , that improve the effectiveness of Ribavirin and Interferon when all three are taken together. My BIL did the R&I treatment for early stage Hep C and felt tired and achy on the meds. It did however, eradicate the Hep C from detectable levels. Any antiviral will give you some side effects.
Norestforweary, This is a new drug which was just ok'd by the FDA in December. It is a combination of meds for Hepatitis C. Basically it kills the virus in the body. This will slow down or stop the eventual destruction of the Liver that Hep C causes. The liver will regenerate. Although my MIL's is past that point. This drug could be life saver for many, many people out there with Hep C. In my MIL's case ( she is in final stages) it might prolong her life and should she have problems with bleeding (either from a fall or something else) Her blood would no longer be contagious.
Just in case you have never put a pencil to the cost for sitters.....if you pay an agency for 24 hours a day at $16 per hour, 365 days a year, the cost is a staggering $140,160. You can negotiate $240 a day but the cost is still outrageous. The average person doesn't have that kind of money. It's sad. Do what you have to do to make it work for you.
Up here in Alaska the hourly rate is typically $20 hr. OOOOUUUUCCCCHHHH! about $1000.00 per week, thank goodness we are passed that now and only need 2 or 3 hrs a day! I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you Lord!
Thanks, everyone. The drugs have arrived and a nurse is scheduled to give us all a class. I still am working on getting someone but your responses have helped.
Oh, she can't pay for this because there is no money in her accounts or my BIL's who she lives with. He was laid off for 2 years and is finally working a job for minimum wage. Her social security basically pays for their food and maybe the water. My husband and I are the only ones in the family that aren't treading water….mainly because I have one full time job and then also work one night a week at another. This is the reason for hiring the friend until I can get some assistance help for them.
My Mom is 94 and often forgets to use her call device in the assisted living facility. She had a fall about 2 weeks ago but is OK, thank God! The help cannot be watching her 24 hours.
I found that the hourly rate with an agency is $16, or $240 for a 24 hour shift where sitters stay 12 hours and actually "live" in her home. Independent sitters run around $10-12 but finding someone reliable and who you can trust is difficult. I think it would be acceptible to hire your friend to sit with your mother. I think you would have to have an understanding of what might happen and what she should do in the case of an emergency. In case of an emergency, certainly the family would be involved. I am sure you are well aware that anything could happen whether you are there, a sitter is there, or even if she is in a hospital. If you trust your friend, that's what I would do. Good luck with this experimental drug.
The cost of someone to be with your mother can vary from state to state. Can you check with the doctor if he wants someone with her for the full duration of the medication, (12 weeks) or few times in the beginning to see if there will be a reaction? That will make a difference in your needs for someone to monitor her. Also, have a plan in place on what the person needs to do in the event there is a reaction.
We have a friend of the family that is currently un-employed. What would be the legal ramifications of hiring her for this? I certainly can't afford to pay 12-15 dollars an hour out of pocket. I am looking into adult senior services but the paperwork is going to take some time. The treatment lasts for 12 weeks and supposedly starts sometime this next week. I was hoping for this summer when she could stay with me or my boys could be with her.
She has one and refuses to wear it in the house. This new med. is still somewhat experimental. I'm not sure they really know what all of the side effects are yet. Dr. says there are very few. A friend who works for a company that did some of the testing for this drug says that some people get deathly ill. I think it is just a precaution for the duration of the treatment.
pstegman: Yes, that's right.
Oh, she can't pay for this because there is no money in her accounts or my BIL's who she lives with. He was laid off for 2 years and is finally working a job for minimum wage. Her social security basically pays for their food and maybe the water. My husband and I are the only ones in the family that aren't treading water….mainly because I have one full time job and then also work one night a week at another. This is the reason for hiring the friend until I can get some assistance help for them.