Companion care: Looking for solutions while I'm traveling.

Is she not able to participate in activities in the facility?
I would talk to the activities director and see what can be done to get her involved.
You could start by going through the activity calendar and suggesting things to her or actually signing her up for an activity.
If you are looking for other people to come in and be a companion for her some facilities have restrictions. They may have to be "vetted" or approved by the facility. So ask what the regulations are. If you can hire someone that might be an option. Some Churches or Houses of worship have Volunteers that would stop in and visit with a resident.

I think if you are able to pay, there are plenty of services where you can employ a regularly visiting "friend" for companion care. Beyond that, you might reach out to volunteer organizations that cater more to the elderly.

Does she or you have a faith affiliation? If so, speak with your / her faith leader about visitation from among the faith community members. Or, ask the facility if they have a list of community pastors or chaplains, that offer their services to the facility residents as needed; perhaps you can enlist one of them.
Does she or you belong to any community based women's groups?
Confer with the facility about what " volunteer" programs come into the building. This may be another resource.
And, last but not least, can you arrange a regular visit schedule among your/ her family members?
Be sure that all of the family is taking a turn .

My mom interacts well with one/one too. I asked the front desk receptionist if there were private caregivers and I talked to one. She was wonderful and set me up with a lady that came in 3 days a week to be with mom. 1-5 was best for mom and covered 2 meals. It was so good that I increased to 7 days a week with one lady working 5 days (Sunday-Thursday) and the other working 2 days (Friday/Saturday). It was worth it for me because it was a familiar face, a relationship, and they report to me at the end of every day. I didn’t want an agency since I couldn’t get the same person and mom doesn’t do well with change. She relies on the memory of her private caregiver and that gives her peace. I canceled all of the AL care (shower assist, reminders, etc.) since they were not consistent and mom could refuse but I wasn’t notified by AL that she refused EVEN though I asked them to call me on her phone sitting right there! When mom moved to MC, I took the ladies with me and they are approached to work for others! Other family members want the help with their loved ones. I have peace of mind!

And if you think mom could benefit from more PT, not just companion care, PTs can be hired privately if finances permit. Just a thought for the future, not necessarily something to be done while you're away traveling. My husband had Parkinson's and really benefited from having a PT who came to our home and worked with him, after he had been discharged from Medicare-funded outpatient PT.

Many private agencies offer companion care services among their options of caregiving help. Call the ones in the area and ask about what you’re thinking of

I’m going on a cruise for 5 days in October, and will have a close friend (who also has some senior home care experience) stay in my nearby home to check on her. I plan to pay her whatever she’d make in a usual week in her normal job as a part time massage therapist, plus has to get here.

Thanks for the response.
It is a small residential ALF and does not have many activities. Also she does better in one-on-one than in groups (for now).
A couple from church usually comes by once a week.
I planned on talking to the facility about it but wanted to know what is available first. I would actually prefer they be approved and from an agency. Is there service that provides someone to regularly stop in and interact with her? I would like her to have someone she knows to check on her while I am out-of-town.
Any ideas?

careson: Perhaps you should speak with your mother's facility

The following information was located through Google: "Medicare can help pay for physical therapy (PT) that’s considered medically necessary. After meeting your Part B deductible, Medicare will pay 80 percent of your PT costs."

Disclaimer: The above is not my authoring.

* Research volunteer organizations such as LITA:

https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org6049.jsp

Call and find out which areas they serve.

* Google "volunteer organizations" in your county.

* Hire independent contractors / caregivers.

* Students in College: Call colleges and speak to dept heads: social work, geriatrics, psychology, nursing. Ask them to post a notice / mention to their students for 'socialization' support ($ / hourly). Students need extra income.

Gena / Touch Matters