Hi everyone,
I am 35, I take care of my grandmother, 88, with ever-advancing dementia. Before you ask, yes, it's just me and no, there's no one else to help.
We can't afford memory care or AL/ NH and I'm really in need of another alternative.
I have scoured the internet pretty extensively and surprisingly enough there is such little substantive info - let alone an actual real lead to a seemingly credible agency or actionable piece of advice.
Does anyone have any experience in this area? And, if so, would you be able to point me in some directions where I can likely gain some traction?
I really appreciate the help more than you can imagine.
Happy holidays to everyone :)
Do not allow people without papers to work in this environment. You know what the minimum wage is. Add 20 percent to it, and you should find any number of caregivers with whatever language or cultural needs are required.
Is there a language barrier or is it because a foreign caregiver may be less expensive?
A living wage must be paid. Rent, room and board is not exchange for caregiving services. And Taxes, Social Security need to be taken out and you should also provide insurance for the caregiver. (if they become injured there is the potential for a law suit.) And one person can not work 24/7/365 so you would need more than 1 person.
You are in the Chicago area check out Elderwerks.org it is a 501(c)(3) Non profit that has a remarkable Senior Resource Directory and you can see it on line. There are many services listed and maybe one of them sill help. If you wish to call 855-462-0100, they are located in Palatine.
And depending on where you are in the Chicago area at the end of January there is a Conference at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake that might help with some resources. The People In Need Forum is held the last Saturday in January each year and the information is great.
Have you looked into application for Medicaid?
Is she eligible for Hospice? If so you would get help and equipment and you could discuss with the Hospice Social Worker about options. Sometimes Hospice can get a Skilled Nursing facility placement faster than you could just by the fact that being on Hospice the facility would generally assume that it would not be a "long term" resident.
A caregiver is not cheap. Who is paying for it? If grandma can't afford it, talk to Medicaid about LTC. Most States assets need to be spent down to 2k. Her SS and any pension will have an income cap. (There is a way to get around this) By getting her placed, you don't have the headache of paying caregivers and wondering if they are doing their job or even showing up. In LTC all your grandmothers needs will be met. She will get a small amt of money taken from her SS and placed in a Personal Needs Acct. This money can be used for her personal needs. Like a haircut. Clothes, shoes, toiletries she likes, etc.
My Dad, who was a fall risk, had around the clock caregivers. In my area, that was costing him $20,000 per month. When Dad moved to a memory care facility, it was costing him $7k per month, quite a savings.
If grandmother cannot budget for that, as others have written, check on Medicaid [which is different than Medicare]. Medicaid is State run and funded by the taxpayers.
Medicaid would probably suggest moving grand-mother to a nursing home where she would get the around the clock care, and Medicaid would help with the payments. That is less expensive for the State then sending caregivers to the house.
What nnationality are you seeking?
Do you know a situation like this is very likely illegal? You may find an illegal but the department of labor may end up tracking you down and filing charges for unfair labor practices.
Check into Medicaid as barb suggested.
I don't have any experience with Medicaid, so I really can't speak to it.