There is an in home care program where caregivers are compensated for some of the hours they put in. I believe it's called IHSS ("In Home Supportive Services". It California the county welfare department administers the program (but it is federally funded). Spouses are eligible as well. I think the pay is around $10.00 an hour and there is an hourly, weekly limitation. If she is nearly blind there are additional state programs for that also. Talk to the hospital social workers about the different programs she may be eligible for. I would also look around for eldercare ministries from the local churches as they may help you as well. My father had much the same issues. I worked out a deal with a full time caregiver with a minimal salary and free room & board. Make sure that you stay involved however. I provided the respite care for the caregiver and we switched roles from time to time with me being the primary caregiver.

Crushing pain pills can be tricky if they are time release (they can cause an overdose). Make sure that you clear all of this with the doctor and pharmacist. I used a 72 hour transdermal skin patch instead (Duragesic) which was much easier to deal with. I only used oral meds for breakthrough pain and they could have been in liquid form to begin with. One has to be very careful about flushing the PEG tube so it doesn't become clogged as well.


Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)