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He has fallen several times and needs assistance with most activities.

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Not unless you hire on the help. And it is hard to get help that will work minimal and unknown hours. I wish you the best. Do know that most agencies require minimums such as three days a week four hours a day. And most people need hard and fast times and hours of the day in order to be certain their own schedules can sustain their financial needs.

Good luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Does he have a church family?
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Reply to jwellsy
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I had an agency in Maryland that would staff with a 3 hour minimum. I usually called them 2 or 3 days in advance.

It is better to hire an agency on a pattern, i.e. 8:00 am- noon every Wed morning and you
do your activities then.

I found generally 8am - 2:00 pm M-F could be easily staffed by the agencies as they
had the Mom's who had kids working those hours.
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Reply to brandee
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How long have you been caregiving for your husband 24/7?? That's a lot Dianne. Too much, IMHO. You deserve and need a break and some "me" time. Find a local company that does eldercare and get out of the house. You have to take care of yourself too. Best of luck.
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Reply to againx100
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I don’t know how it works in USA except knowing medical care is generally better in US than in Canada.
But when it comes to provide support for caregivers it is here through home care agency (govt) for which senior or persons with disabilities has lots of resources. For free, but not really as we paid lots of taxes, higher than in US.
My husband has Parkinson’s as well and for now he gets help with showers, person coming to help with exercises, respite, day programs with taxi picking him up and bringing him home.
Now as his Parkinson’s is advancing he can get 35 hours of help a week strictly for caregiving, we haven’t used that yet.
Day or night, help with morning dressings or nighttime routine.
And if I need him to go to respite stay they will provide one at $70 per night.
He is also approved for transportation i.e. taxis for appointments which he never used.
I am saying this because it is extremely important to have that extra layer of help.
Stress of taking care of person with PD is immense.
I also have several friends to take him for appointments from time to time, I repay them by taking them to lunch or dinner etc.
It really takes a village.
Right now he was diagnosed with Parkinsonism which is worse aka Parkinson plus which could be MSA, PSP, LBD, although dementia was eliminated. But sooner or later meds will not work well anymore as they already are less effective.
Things will get worse, much worse.
When? Nobody knows.
But it is important to have plan A, B and C.
Dianne,
You need to find help, family, friends, maybe local people who can help. Advertise?
I have PT semi retired caregivers who will do several hours here andvthere.
Simple fact is you cannot do it alone.
Also make plan if something happens to you. I have arrangements made through SW if I need to go to hospital my husband will be taken by ambulance as well and either stay in hospital as social admit or home care agency will find him facility.
You can always PM me if you need support.
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Reply to Evamar
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There is suppose to be help next year for caregivers when the person has certain medical conditions and has certain Medicare Advantage policies. But I can't find the 2025 policies yet.
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Reply to CareforMominTN
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This sounds like my husband also. We have some LTC insurance and an aide from 8-12 for morning ADL and he returns at night to put my husband to bed. My husband is 6'2" and weighs 210 pounds, so he needs an aide who can assist at that level. I am conscious about my own care. I have had stress-related illnesses, so I take a long yoga class on line twice a week, and swim a mile when the aide is here. Those are my preferences, but lots of people walk when they have coverage. I also take Lexipro to keep the stress down. It helps. Try reaching out to community and county agencies. There are case managers (free) who can suggest other assistance for you. I understand you.
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Reply to sbartolone
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Medicare provides limited coverage for respite care, but it is typically associated with hospice care.

If your husband is not under hospice care, Medicare would not cover respite care. However, other options such as Medicaid, if your husband is eligible, long term care insurance, if you have a policy, or local programs might provide assistance.

To find out about local respite care programs, you can try the following resources:
Area Agency on Aging. Every community has a local AAA office that can provide information on respite care, home health services and other support for caregivers. You can search for your local office by visiting the Eldercare Locator website at www.eldercare.acl.gov or by calling (800) 677-1116.
Nonprofit Organizations. Groups like the Alzheimer’s Association, if your husband has dementia, or the Family Caregiver Alliance often offer caregiver support, including respite care. They may have local chapters or partnerships with respite programs.
Caregiver Support Programs. Many communities offer caregiver support programs through local hospitals, senior centers, or faith based organizations. A quick internet search for “respite care” in your city or contacting a local senior center might provide leads.
Veterans Affairs (VA). If either the husband or wife is a veteran, the VA offers caregiver support programs, including respite care services, through its VA Caregiver Support Program.

I hope these options give you some peace of mind and a chance to take the break you really deserve.
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Reply to HaveYourBack
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In my state there is an organization called Seniors With Disabilities. When I took care of my dad who had dementia, they hooked us up with caregivers and he even qualified for 1 day a week to be paid for. I also found another person through my church by speaking with the Pastoral care minister. He found a retired person who had the strength and ability to stay with him while I went shopping etc. So I managed to get about 2 afternoons a week out of the house for my own appointments, shopping and such. The person who came from the care agency also did housework while I was out so that was quite helpful as well. You might try looking into what your state/ county has available to assist you.
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Reply to Dizzerth
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A few questions for you.
1. Is your husband a Veteran? If so the VA has programs that will provide caregivers as well as other services. AND the VA will now pay a spouse to care for the Veteran. Also depending on where and when he served he may be eligible for more services, it might help a little or a LOT!
2. Check with your local Senior Service Center. He may qualify for Adult Day Care if that is the case that would free up a few days a week for you to run errands.
3. Depending on where he is in the progression of the Parkinson's he might be Hospice eligible, if that is the case you would be able to request a Volunteer to stay with him while you run errands. AND you would have a Nurse that would come 1 time a week, more often if needed. A CNA that would come 2 times a week to help with shower. And the Nurse would order all the medical supplies and equipment that you would need. The CNA would order all the personal supplies and all supplies, equipment and medications would be delivered. Medicare/Medicaid also would then cover a Respite stay, typically about 1 week each year. this is all covered by Medicaid, Medicare and other insurance
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Reply to Grandma1954
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TouchMatters Sep 29, 2024
VA is a good question although they will provide some hours, depending on the status of the VA recipient / service. That VA will pay a spouse is very valuable information

Hospice - another good suggestion.

THANK YOU. Really supportive for this person and many others here.

Gena / Touch Matters
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Your husband can have a Respite stay in a personal care home nearby. Check with your local resources. Aging Care, VA....
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Reply to Onlychild2024
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Your question is unclear. Please clarify: Are you asking for free 'help' so you can get a way or a caregiver that you can pay for through a caregiver agency or referral?

Contact the Parkinson's Association / organization in your area.
That is a good place to start.

Contact City Hall, Senior Services Dept.

Contact your local church(es) ask for volunteers.

Anyone that has fallen several times, which is not unusual for a person with Parkinson's, and depending on your ability to help him, he may need to be in a facility where he can get 24/7 care.

Gena / Touch Matters
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Reply to TouchMatters
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JanPeck123 Sep 29, 2024
My hubby has Parkinsons and when mobile he would fall often when not assisted for safety. Falling doesn't always equal need for an out of home placement. The doctor can order physical & occupational therapies which can assess how to do simple modifications to make daily living easier.
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Dianne5: You may require regular and not just occasional home health for your DH (Dear Husband) via a Google search.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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Try www.care.com or your church’s Good Samaritan ministry. Or call a home care agency like Senior Helpers. Good luck
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Reply to mobrien0214
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Depending on his insurance, he most likely qualifies for home health aide. Check with his insurance company.
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Reply to Taarna
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Just hire a private caregiver
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Reply to Adrian0227
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I agree with hiring a private caregiver. If there is no heavy lifting involved a retired person might be more willing to waive the 3 hour minimum of agencies. Churches are a great resource. Even if it's not your church. There are also websites that match people up. Posting on Facebook or next door is another option.
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