Alzheimer's Disease Support Group
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...
The VA social worker called me yesterday and we filled out the paperwork over the phone to get someone to come here periodically to watch my husband while I 'get away' once in awhile. I told her I didn't need someone everyday but I was looking for some kind of a regular basis so I could plan things that I need to do. Something kind of concern me, she asked if our home was 'safe' meaning are their any broken things in the home that would make it unsafe for the patient. Well, I don't think there are, however, our home is 100 years old and does need repairs here and there, nothing that I think is dangerous but would someone else think it is? This is worrying me. I'm assuming they are going to send someone out here and inspect us. I really don't like the idea of being inspected.
Has anyone been through something similar? What are their standards? What are they looking for in an inspection?
Has anyone been through something similar? What are their standards? What are they looking for in an inspection?
1. throw rugs that are non-skid (if they slide, you should pull them up permanently...don't want to end up in hospital w/ a broken bone)
2. electrical cords that could be tripped on
3. difficulty finding support when standing from a toilet (no grab bar or sturdy windsill, table, etc to grab)
4. detergents, sprays, etc that he could ingest (because he no
longer knows what they are)
They are probably thinking more of the VA than they are you-- in other words, they don't want to be held liable for anything that happens while you are gone.
Good luck.
Queenie
I went through four respite care workers before I found one that was more capable than my husband. I felt like some of them needed a keeper. If you are not comfortable with the first one they send ask for someone else. We had one that forgot to show up one day. Another one climbed over two chairs & yellow caution tape to walk on my newly epoxyed sidewalk which was still wet!! When I asked her take off her shoes before she came in the house, she asked WHY? I sent her home. It is important that you have a good fit with your husband. Just because they are licensed and bonded doesn't mean they are good or capable. The one I have now is very good, but it was a struggle to get there.
Things like placeing a catch higher up on the door so he can't just open it and take off, for some reason most AD patients do not really look up so if the door knob turns but doesn't open he wouldn't think to look up near the top of the door to see the catch there. Making sure that medicines and things that could be poisionous are stored where he couldn't find them and use them. Removing knobs from the stove so he can't turn it on and start a fire or burn himself, remvoing things that might cause him to trip and fall.
Good luck with that respite. It is so nice to be able to get out and shop, go to the library or other things and know he will be safe. I really value the care I get and at times I've even just gone and taken a nap knowing there was nothing to worry about.
I know just what you mean. Neal often wants to go wiht me but if it's more then a short trip he get's so tired and then doesn't want to leave the car and if I've gone into town I don't want to leave him alone in the car.
There are times when he's wihtdrawn and depressed that being home wiht him is like being alone but it really isn't because of course he's there and you can't act like he isn't. It's like some twilight world where your not alone but you don't have an adult there with you either.