My Dad has been in a nursing facility since he had a stroke 2 months ago. When he first went in the facility, they insisted he have 24/7 sitters because he is a fall risk and exhibits dementia-like behavior (agitation and combativeness). At that time, the facility said we would only need to employ the sitters for a week or two. It has now been 8 weeks and the facility is insisting the sitters continue indefinitely. The sitters are extremely expensive and we can't afford them. Has anyone had experience with this type of situation? Is there a place for someone like my Dad, where he can get skilled nursing care (which he needs) without the sitters? Please help.
Something I've seen increase over time is the NH's reliance on Dad's sitters. It is ridiculous to pay for the facility to take care of Dad and sitters! ARRRRGGG! It is so frustrating.
So... I hired a home health agency who charged $20/hour and had a sitter for the first night/day. I then took over and missed work to look after my father. Luckily, he recovered fairly quickly from the confused state of mind and after I urged the CNA to shower and dress him (the doctor advised using a leg bag), my father did much better. I was able to leave later that day and did not need a sitter, thank goodness. The cost would have been $480/DAY!!!! I don't even make that much!
So now I'm worried as he needs to have a sitter after 3 upcoming treatments for cancer. They will need to provide 1:1 supervision for 6 hours after each treatment. Of course, if he needs more surgery or if something happens with my mother (now 98), I am at a loss as to how to pay for any such private services such as a sitter? How do other people do this? What is the "secret" for families who are not wealthy? I am self-employed and when I don't work, I don't get paid and can lose clients for cancelling work. One person said that some family members take out a mortgage on their home to pay for home health fees!!! I cannot do that. My boyfriend recommended getting a credit card and putting the cost on that and pay it off slowly using their resident accounts... but you are limited then as to how much can go on the card and risk damaging my credit by having huge credit card debt. Open to ideas or suggestions!
You might private message me what state, city and facility he's in, and I may be able to find a referral for you for an elder attorney.
I would also say that, there are laws that protect patients from being over-medicated, so the care facility has to be mindful of those regulations, as their license could be at risk. And, if he is in an assisted living facility as opposed to a skilled or long-term care facility, then he is in the wrong place. Again, if you get an elder care attorney, you are likely to find that you will suddenly be able to find a bed for him in a more appropriate level of care -- as well as more appropriate care for him.
Is the facility short staffed? They have others to care for too.
My mom was moved to a care home many fewer residents that worked better for her.
Talk with the facility about cutting back hours for starters. Maybe a geriatric psychiatric assessment to adjust meds to find something that will keep him more comfortable.