| | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 280 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP  Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 280 | As most of you know, my husband is in hospice care. We are finding out how limited that care actually is, and we have a gap we need to fill during times when I need to work.
Do any of you have experience with finding additional care to supplement hospice?
I called around and got some rates, but WOW! I might as well quit my job and just cg 24/7.
CG to my husband, Matt. Dx June 2009 Stage IV Oropharengeal SCC right tonsil primary with distant metastases. Rad to neck- Surgeries to lungs- Every avail chemo - ran out of options Jan 2012, called for hospice help Feb 2012, at rest March 19, 2012.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Christine,
you might check the Employment Wanted or Position Wanted sections of your local papers to see if you can find an independent with suitable references and qualifications. You might look in elderly care, as the confusion and other issues you are dealing with are similar. An independent would likely get you a lower rate, but you would need to consider insurance and other issues that an agency would take care of.
Your county social services department might have programs or at least ideas.
A minister or rabbi might be useful. Maybe the local American Cancer society?
Thoughts are with you.
Maria
Last edited by Maria; 03-12-2012 04:05 PM.
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | No matter where you find the help please be very careful. If someone is coming into your home, remember they are a stranger! I dont want to make you worry about anything else but this is an area where you cant be too careful.
My former job was with the phone company and believe it or not Ive seen $500+ home phone bills. Seems like some aides will accept collect calls, do *69, and make long distance phone calls while they should be caring for your loved one. Of course just about everyone now has cell phones and unlimited everything. You still need to use caution. Think of your cable, they can rent movies right from most cable boxes. This is something else that can get run up rather quickly. By the time you get the bills, the aide will be long gone. Your home could be robbed. Your husband may not be cared for. References can be too easily faked. There are so many bad people who are looking to take advantage of others.
Going thru an agency is better than hiring someone you do not know. I like Maria's idea of asking at the church. There may be some people who wouldnt mind coming one day per week and lending a hand. Maybe friends or relatives know someone in the medical field who would help you. Word of mouth is usually a good way to get someone reliable.
I wish you all the best with everything you are going thru.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,924 Members13,103 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
