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I'm the full-time caregiver for my 86 year old husband with dementia. It seems I may be in for surgery within the next couple of months and I don't know what to do about him. Our children are spread out all over the continent and have full-time jobs and their own families. He lost his driver's license and is hard of hearing. I prepare his meds, clip his toenails, prepare the meals, and do all the housework. He does see to his hygiene regularly, but relies on me for everything else. Any suggestions on what resources might be available for his care when I am hospitalized?

You can hire a live-in caregiver from a caregiver website like care.com or from a homecare agency. They will be a short-term position (usually a few months) until your recover fully. The caregiver will also look after you.

Or your husband can be put into memory care until you've recovered and can care for him again in your home.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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A few questions.
How long will your hospital stay be? If this is outpatient you might want to hire a caregiver for a few days or weeks depending on how long your recovery is. the caregiver can help both of you. (and it is a great way to get a caregiver in if your husband has been resistant to having help. You can say the help is for you.
OR
You can contact a facility in your area and ask about a week of Respite. He would have to have a physical form filled out by his doctor. He may have to have a TB test done (that can be a simple skin test but it may require several visits. Or a blood test can be done)
He would stay in the facility for as long as you need him to be cared for.

Talk to your doctor about the expected time that you will be "out of commission" and then make a decision that is best for you.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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You should be able to have him put in either an assisted living or memory care facility for respite(yes you'll have to pay out of pocket)while you recoup from your surgery, as many facilities offer that. You'll have to go online to see which ones in your area offer that.
And then if you're lucky, he will like it there and you might want to think about permanent placement, as his dementia will only get worse, and it's often recommended to place someone while earlier in their disease, so they can used to their new surroundings and people caring for them, before their mind gets too far gone.
I wish you well with your surgery and recovery and finding the best facility to care for your husband.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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BurntCaregiver Jun 28, 2024
@funky

Not necessarily. Medicare pays for up to two weeks respite stay in a care facility if a caregiver needs a break. Having surgery definitely qualifies as needing a break. They will have to pay out-of-pocket after the two weeks though.
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OliveBalla: Seek respite care for your husband while you undergo surgery and recovery.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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Hi BurntCaregiver. I’ve only heard of two week respite care being covered by Medicare when someone is on hospice. Have you seen it covered in other situations? TIA.
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Reply to MidwestOT
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funkygrandma59 Jul 4, 2024
Actually MidwestOT, it's only 5 days at a time that Medicare will cover for respite 100%, while someone is under hospice care.
Of course you can get respite care more than once while under hospice care, I believe it's like every couple months or so, depending on bed availability.
And from what I've read, Medicare only covers respite in an inpatient facility when someone is under hospice care.
Otherwise it does offer under some(note the word some)Medicare Advantage plans respite in the form of adult daycare, in-home respite care, and short term respite care in an approved facility, but not covered 100% like when someone is under hospice care.
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