Hi everyone. Haven't been on here in awhile. Some changes in situation. Dad had a car accident. Minor injuries to both parties. Lost license and vehicle. So driving is over. He has 2 care givers, had. I just let one go. One lives on his property in a mobile home with her husband. She has been caring for dad since last Sept. (accident happened 8/16) . So, I'm looking to hire another caregiver and she is telling me that dad is more calm with just her. She is doing T,Th and Fri and every other Sat/Sun. (I do the other Sat/Sun). So she wants to add M/W breakfast/dinner to her schedule and have me not hire another caregiver. She seems to genuinely care for dad. He likes her a lot. She hasn't done anything that has been questionable which I can't say for the other caregivers I have had.
So, I guess I'm considering letting her have the extra days but at the same time I'm skeptical of motives. I asked her wouldn't it be better to have someone in place in the event dad needs more care and she said that she didn't think he was going to last that long. (He had a mild stroke a month ago).
What do you think. Do the elderly get more anxious with different people coming? Dad has said to me several times "I wish you didn't have all these people coming here." (I have only had 2 other care givers so there really haven't been a lot). Your comments are appreciated.
I am uncomfortable that she said he won't last that long, and would hire a caregiver hoping for recovery or a longer life.
As always, I recommend removing anything of value from the house AND having all financial statements redirected to your house before someone outside is spending so much time there. This comes under 'rather safe than sorry'!
Sometimes his favorites weren't ours. He would prefer the people who'd sit and chat, and eat snacks with him, or bring their pet or a family member(!). Having someone busy doing housework and moving around put him on edge, even though those people were more responsible and a bigger help to my mom. We just had to temper what he preferred with what was going to be the most helpful to all of us.
From what it sounds like, this is a good job for this lady. She is close by, she and your dad have a good rapport, and she probably could use the extra work. She might just be in tune to your dad and feel like it is a good thing for both him and her. If you feel like you would rather have a second person there for him to be familiar with, though, that is totally reasonable too. Do you feel like she's pressuring you or just sharing her observations?