Hi! My mom has been in AL for 2 years now with moderate dementia. Per the staff there, she is okay since she is used to her routines and has adapted well. I'm her long-distance caregiver daughter with DMPOA. She needs to attend a few dental appointments soon for crowns (necessary not optional) and I'm not sure how she'll react. Routine cleanings are fine. I can't afford to fly out to help her with these appointments.
I'm considering hiring a home health aide that can, amongst other things, escort her to the appointments. Minimum time is 16 hrs per week.
Has anyone done something similar? How did it work out?
My husband did well with that although as you will be warned, and as you probably already know, sedating older people especially with dementia has it's risks.
What you're describing sounds more like a "home care" aid. There's a difference.
Home health is used when there are medical needs and therefore much more expensive.
Home care is used for non-medical needs such as companionship and assistance with ADLs.
This article explains more:
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/difference-between-home-health-and-non-medical-home-care-services-426685.htm
My mom uses a home care aid in AL. She started with one a few days a week and now has one daily. It's been a godsend, and has enabled her to stay in AL longer as opposed to moving to memory care. She didn't like them at first but now has bonded with them.
Why is it felt she needs crowns? Has she broken teeth?
This is a long process. The tooth has to be drilled to a point. Then a mold taken of the area for the permanent crown. The mold is made by piping the stuff into the area. I have almost choked on it. Then she has to sit there waiting for it to set. A temporary is put in place. The permanent appt is shorter. Its taking out the temp and putting in the permamnent.
Are you sure, with Dementia, Mom will be able to go thru this?
One of the teeth that needs a crown anchors her dental partial. If that tooth bites the dust she looses her partial and then worse choices will need to be made.
Having an aide to accompany has been fantastic. There became a regular one & they have a wonderful bond. It did take some family members time to get over having 'strangers' brought in to help - they had that 'family must help' mindset. But it's common sense really. One daughter, sister (brother whoever) just can't do everything all the time. If you don't live together, just impractical. Having a paid person makes sense.
For dental surgery, it was arranged to have the aide for the entire day. Get ready, transport, support in the waiting room., rhe whole duration. It worked very well.
I hope you can find a good agency, or individual to help.
it is very common in my town.
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