A Place for Mom's Family

Choosing Home Care Services

The first step to finding the right kind of home care agency is determining what level of care is needed. There are two main categories of in-home care services: skilled care, which provides for medical needs, and custodial care. Custodial care may include environmental assistance-help with housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation and the like-or personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. Some agencies only provide one type of care; others may include both types. Home care organizations include home health agencies; hospices; homemaker and home care aide (HCA) agencies; staffing and private-duty agencies; and companies specializing in medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and drug infusion therapy. Different types of home care companies may work together to provide an integrated system of services for a care recipient.

This article continues at Choosing Home Care Services.

One point I would like to add: Anyone receiving homecare from an agency that's getting paid from Medicare can only receive a maximum of 4 hours a day 5 days a week for a few weeks and then will be cut off. The other options are getting Medicaid or paying privately. Even if you think or have been told that your not eligible for Medicaid services, you probably can be advised on how to become eligible. Medicaid will provide UP TO 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the rest of your life, therefore it is definitely worth consulting with someone.

We live in Okmulgee, Oklahoma (about an hour's drive from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I'm beside myself trying to find someone to come in to my parent's home and help when my Mother leaves the Senior Focus Facility where's she's been for almost 14 days due to her deteriorating health due to Alzheimer's disease. Although my Father is in good health, he IS 81 years old, and cannot continue taking care of her alone.  She needs help bathing, dressing and often has "bad" days where she does not know Daddy at all. however, she has never NOT known anyone else including myself (her daughter) my husband and friends from the church even. We cannot stand the thought of a nursing home, as she currently has too many good moments, and again knows everyone else all the time so far. We need someone to come around 9:00 o'clock or so and would be great if they could stay till 2 or 3 in the afternoon, so Daddy can get out of that house, but there is NOONE locally that I 'have been able to find and i've been searching since she went to Senior Focus trying to find help before she comes home.  

I need some help and quick. I am living on nerve pills, and I have got to be there and be strong for Daddy, but seems there is noone and nothing that can help us.

Shanne in OK

ShaAnne,

I just joined this website community and read your post. I noticed no one had replied (I don't think?) since you wrote in August. I worked with a lady from Okmulgee when I lived in Wichita Falls for many years so I am familiar with the area. I know it is a small town and you probably know her and her husband. I can send her an e-mail and ask her if she knows anyone that could help you. I know a lot of time has passed since you wrote this and you have hopefully taken care of your situation. If not, PLEASE KNOW there are so many of us going through this same path in life! I can't even begin to tell you my story because I get too upset because it is too fresh and painful. But, I did want to give you a response to let you know I care. If you want me to try to contact my friend, I will be happy to. Bless you for your love for your parents. (And, bless me, please Lord!)

 Cindy Goodman