I am taking care of my mother who has dementia. My father, who usually takes care of her at their home in LA is in the hospital. He was supposed to be discharged today, but turns out he won't be.
I am a full time student and MUST attend classes Mon, Tues and Wed. I am desperate to find someone to take care of her here in my home those days. She's generally pleasant and verbal (but will forget who you are within minutes). She'll sit for long periods of time doing crossword puzzles or watching TV. She'll occasionally get upset and wonder where my dad is -- she just needs some reassurances when that happens. I think she'd be more comfortable with a woman. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks
COMMENT 230463
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2011-11-06 03:06 PM |
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The Friendship Center is a day programs for elders, has flexible hours, two locations, great staff, provides some transportation, and is not expensive: 969-0859. If your mom has mixed feelings about a place like that, don't give up too quickly. Talk to staff about any concerns. You can contact the Alzheimer's Association who can coach you on how to find an in-home caregiver 892-4259. Be careful in screening potential caregivers before letting them into your home!
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COMMENT 230464
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2011-11-06 03:07 PM |
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Seek help from the local Visiting Nurse Association (VNA.) They may be able to help or point you in the right direction.
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COMMENT 230466
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2011-11-06 03:15 PM |
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Senior Planning Services . Amazing people. Home care, court ordered fiduciaries. Very honest and nice to work with. 1800 block of State St. I highly recommend them to some of my older clients and their families on a frequent basis.
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COMMENT 230467
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2011-11-06 03:28 PM |
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I recently had to find someone for my Grandfather and looked at nursing students at SBCC. Perhaps you could call or email the head of the department and inquire about help. Whatever you do see credentials, run a background check, and get some feedback from people who know this person. I wish you luck, and if you have to take off a day hire someone to take notes for you.
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COMMENT 230468
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2011-11-06 03:41 PM |
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Contact Santa Barbara Village, a recently-established organization whose purpose is to serve the aging in their homes.
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AQUAHOLIC
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2011-11-06 04:09 PM |
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Contact the local Alzheimer's Association.
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COMMENT 230486P
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2011-11-06 05:50 PM |
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Compassion to you in this challenging time. Be aware that many of the agencies may be relatively expensive. We've had more than a few good caregivers; ask friends who they might know or ask the MD to recommend someone, or possibly someone at your church. A degree or CNA is not necessary for kindness and care. Know that you may think you know someone is good and reliable and they are not.
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ROGER DODGER
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2011-11-06 07:47 PM |
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Be very careful who you trust in Santa Barbara with your mother and whatever you do don't stick her in a nursing home for even a short peroid of time.Don't do anything that would require signing her rights away. I think the Friendship Center is great.
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COMMENT 230514P
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2011-11-06 10:41 PM |
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My father-in-law got excellent care at the Friendship Center.
We were also to get sufficient funds through the VA to pay for him to stay in a small group home. The interaction with others was very helpful in maintaining cognitive functioning. If your father or mother is a veteran and served during a time of war, then they might qualify for Veteran's Aid & Attendance. There's more info at http://www.veteranaid.org/ and a very helpful volunteer at the Veteran's Building down on Cabrillo who can help.
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COMMENT 230522
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2011-11-07 06:28 AM |
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I've used Senior Helpers and found them to be well trained for all levels of care and very compassionate.
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COMMENT 230524P
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2011-11-07 06:31 AM |
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Friendship Center has been a complete godsend to us. I don't know what we would do without it. They're amazingly kind, patient and generous with their time and resources. We didn't think that our Alzheimer's patient would be willing to go. To our amazement, after a few days, she adjusted wonderfully and looks forward to going. Having some time in the house without the Alzheimer's patient is really helpful.
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FLICKA
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2011-11-07 06:34 AM |
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The Friendship Center is wonderful, suggest calling them. Many, if not most, of their members have Alzheimers. They have activities all day, some days live music, Adult Ed sends teachers out who give programs geared to the interest of the members, they play bingo on some days, members make new friends. Serve a light breakfast and a BIG, hot lunch. For in-home care try Independent Living Resource Center; they do all the background checking and give you a list of potential caregivers; you interview them and can hire or not. They don't take any cut of the pay so it's more affordable than regular agencies.
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COMMENT 230538
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2011-11-07 07:02 AM |
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Thanks for the information so far -- keep it coming!
Does anybody know a good gerontologist in SB or TO?
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COMMENT 230543P
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2011-11-07 07:15 AM |
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I'd start with the Visiting Nurses; these groups know each other and can refer you depending on your needs. Incidentally, AARP just hosted an event that brought all these local groups (including the VNA) together there's a lot of help out there. Good luck!
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COMMENT 230546
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2011-11-07 07:20 AM |
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call Help Unlimited 962 4646. they are great!
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COMMENT 230556
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2011-11-07 07:55 AM |
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Yes. The best gerontologist in Santa Barbara is Dr. Michael Omlid. The best in-home care person is Alejandra. She is extremely competent and professional, and is also a nursing student at SBCC.
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COMMENT 230575
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2011-11-07 08:53 AM |
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I know a caregiver here in SB. I don't know if she would be available to travel to LA but if you want more particulars contact me at 569-3761
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COMMENT 230585P
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2011-11-07 09:37 AM |
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I'm sorry to hear you are in this tough spot. A word of advice from someone experienced with this situation - choose very selectively and don't pick someone off Craigslist and even be cautious of people with good agencies. With dementia patients and patients who are bedridden, caregivers will sometimes steal valuables out of the home. It happens all the time (I know of several cases) and it happened to my parents when my dad hired someone and then left my mom with a caregiver to do the shopping. The agency or the individual will claim that someone else who came into the home did or it or that the item has been misplaced by the person with dementia. Bottom line, you can't prove it and they get away with it. Remove small valuables like jewelry or firearms from the home or put them in a safe. Pop in when they don't expect you or have others pop in to visit. Don't keep a regular schedule and it will be less likely to happen. Don't tell them exactly when you are coming and going. Keep any pain medications away these folks unless they need to give them to your parent. Sorry to be so cynical, but this is more common than you might think.
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COMMENT 230730
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2011-11-07 05:39 PM |
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Regarding the last comment, I am a caregiver with a good agency
we are screened with a background check .We do not rob your loved ones...We care for these people, your family....
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COMMENT 230748
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2011-11-07 06:24 PM |
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My mother in law has dementia and our family is shopping around also. Here are some things we are hearing and considering: Some in home care agencies have been in this town a long time. Some are franchises. Most of the well established companies in this town have good reputations and do drug testing and National background checks. I have heard great things about Help Unlimited so far, but we don't know yet if they do drug tests, we are going to check on that. We are probably going to try to get a referral from her doctor. He will know. Also we hear the Alzheimer's Association will give you a good referral only if they have actually dealt with a certain agency. We are going to set up an appointment with them next week. Best of luck to you.
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COMMENT 231038P
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2011-11-08 02:08 PM |
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730, my comments were not directed to your agency or anyone in particular. But it can and does happen. It happened to my dad who used a reputable agency. It happened to a friend of mine. A few bad apples can cause a lot of problems and we are talking about a service being provided in your home when you aren't present. It's better that the OP is aware that this can happen and take steps to prevent it in the event someone less reputable than yourself visits her home.
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