He had a stroke 4 years ago in march. and has went downhill ever since. He is so heavy for me to pick up and 6ft tall. His right leg is kind of twisted to the side and it's so hard to lift him. I am wore out to I have to keep taking care of him. I dont want anyone strange coming in to the house. I work parttime also. Do I have to have a Doctors slip or some kind of legal paper to put him into a nursing home? I just can't do this anymore!
When I was speaking at an Alzheimer's function last month a woman came up to me and said that she had made this move. She told me, "Now I can concentrate on just loving the guy - I can be his wife again." In other words, she wasn't so worn out that she couldn't be her best around him.
You don't need a doctor (at least in most states) to help you get someone into a nursing home. Find the best one that you can and if there are no openings ask to be put on a list. You'll have to start out as private pay for a certain amount of time, and then, when you qualify financially, you can have him put on Medicaid.
Best wishes. We'd love to have you keep in touch.
Carol
Wakemick, you have done an excellent job caring for him for a long time. I would be worn out too. I don't know how you have managed to also hold onto part time work! You have nothing to feel guilty about, as you have done the best you can. There are many excellent facilities check out ratings on the Medicare website and the State's Department of Health.
You should also see an elder law attorney that specializes in Medicaid planning so you are not impoverished, Medicaid does not want that to happen either.
It will take a lot of stress off of you and if you hire someone in your local area - they should be knowledgeable of the services and facilities in your area.
Your question was do you need a doctor's referral to admit to a nursing home. I'm not sure, does anyone here have the answer about the process?
Try an Agency, they will interview you at your home, and you in turn will be interviewing the Agency. The Agency can send out many caregivers until hubby finds a good match for him. There are also male caregivers, thus if hubby loves to watch sports, they can match him up with a male [or female] caregiver who likes the same hobbies.
By the way, what does hubby want to do? Does he want to go into a nursing home? Does he feel like he's a burden on you? I mean, it wasn't his fault he had a stroke, that could happen to anyone. There's a lot to think about.