I am looking for someone to come to my father's home and help my mother with him. They both have some mobility issues.

If either is a veteran, home care assistance is available. If not already, the veteran would have to be enrolled in the VA healthcare program but you only have to go once a year for checkup to stay in the system. It may vary with each VA hospital but our program gives up to 28 hours a week. Even with this, depending on the agency you use it is a minimum of 3-4 hours at a time.

Kathi383: Perhaps you can check with the COA (Council on Aging) in your town, Warrenton, MO. There they should have on staff an elder case worker, who can perform a needs assessment for your father in order to determine how much help that he requires and IF your mother is physically able to handle the tasks. The COA should also have on staff a social worker.

Check with insurance company to see what kinds of help is covered. If home health aides are covered, then check with local home health care agencies. If not, check into home health care agencies as well as skilled nursing facilities.

Speak with his PCP for a " level of care needs assessment" for your father ( and perhaps your mother). Obtain the services of a case manager or licensed social worker to further assist with care options.
The PCP should be able to provide you directions on all of the above.

Barb brookyn had excellent advise. Have the inhome assessment. Some practical training for your mom as well as your family in safe transfer. Make sure the environment is maximized for safety. Make a detailed list of the daily routine and what can be accomplished in the allotted time.

See what can be realistically accomplished at home while planning for the future needs and inevitable changes.

I have just contacted an Agency. I'm in the begining process with them. They have a minimum of 4 hours @ $40 an hour. You could probably pay $40 twice a day. That is for an aide- not a nurse. A nurse would cost morem. With the amount you would pay, has assisted living been considered?

It sounds like dad needs help with transfers.

Has he recently had at OT/PT evaluation?

Does he have a grab bar near his bed to help him up? Perhaps PT can be instituted to improve his upper body strength so he can transfer without an assist.

Not helpful, but good luck. Maybe it will help for you to realize you're not alone in this awful struggle, though. Even when doc "prescribed" some in-home/PT/Public Health visits for my parents, the people just didn't exist. And this was before COVID. Agencies wouldn't help...one "kid" who was clearly just answering the phone at one place said off the record it was b/c my mom needed (very minimal) lift assistance. We were able to put together some private help...*Most* were good enough. But my parents let most of them go ($ I'm sure.) Then, when we needed more help, we really struggled. Again private care, most OK (though there was the thief and Meth Girl.) My sister and I kept close eye on things...I traveled 3 hours every Sunday/she lives nearby. I don't think we give ourselves enough credit for pulling it off. Dad died from COVID before there was a vax. Aide brought it in. Mom died at home last fall after brief decline.

As others have said, finding someone to come twice a day, every day for an hour in the am and then back again a night will be a challenge. Most aides (regardless of how they are paid -- Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Long Term Care Insurance, private pay) will come for a 3 or 4 hour shift (longer if one pays more privately) and perhaps only for a few days per week (not every day).

Of course every day (weekends too) and a spilt session (am and back in pm) -- if one is willing to pay a lot -- can be worked out. If one has lots to spend, there are many more "arrangements" that can be worked out. A friend had to have a day aide and another night aide, for her failing husband. At over 6 feet tall, she could not handle/move him at all. Two men came: one day, one night. Each got $500 for their 12 hour shift (in other words $7K a week), but then she needed full time, 24/7 help.

If there is "live-in" space at their home and they are willing to provide free room (maybe board too?), you might be able to work something out with a person who wants/needs their days free but would be there to help with the morning get him up, dress and put into the living room and then be back on duty to help with the pm back to bed routine. Obviously you'd have to really check the person out and have a signed agreement as to what you and they expect. Might be an option for someone in graduate school or studying in the health field: physical therapy student, nursing school student, etc.

If your father has Medicare Advantage, he will be qualified for home health agency care. Prior to receiving home health services, his doctor will have to certify that he is home bound and that he needs the care. The doctor’s office will authorize and order home health services to be provided by a home health agency. Medicare Advantage will pay for part-time home health aide services. The services provided must total fewer than 8 hours a day and fewer than 35 hours a week.

Have you looked into care agencies in your area, L?
That would be your best bet. Some have, unfortunately, minimums, such as four hours a week three times a week.

Hope you find reliable help in your area.

You can contact your local senior services as they will most likely a list of agencies and can make recommendations. Most people and agencies require a minimum time so there may be other needs besides putting him to bed and getting him up that can be served. If it is just these two simple service (which I doubt) perhaps church volunteers can help.

This isn't a homecare agency. If you want to hire privately, try a caregiver website like care.com and advertise what you're looking for and what the pay will be. You can do your own checks on any potential employees.

Or you can go with a homecare agency for your needs. An agency usually has a minimum of hours required. I get many calls from people looking for a caregiver to come one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. I do not send anyone out to a client for less than two hours. Most agencies won't.

I'll tell you straight though. If you're only looking for a one hour in the morning one hour in the evening set up, you won't save any money. A private caregiver will charge you top dollar for that hour. I always did.

You might call agencies in your area and check their pricing. Some do have minimums such as four ours a day three times a week.

Nextdoor may be another idea. I would request references if you hire without a service agency.

Check using your search engine for your area. Wishing you good luck.

I had really good success posting on Nextdoor. I found really good people. However I doubt you will find someone who will want to do less than three consecutive hours a day. Caregivers want steady work.