Ron, The health of our caregivers, be it sibling, parents, or significant other is always a worry. Although my oldest daughter does not live with me she is an integral part of my life acting as my chauffeur, shopper extraordinaire, helps with meals etc etc. Her health is not been good, but she recently caught the flu and did not take care of herself and has been in a coma for the last 10 days but miracles do happen and she woke up yesterday. It will still be a long haul as she was in total kidney failure and will have a ways to go, but it brought home the reality of how much impact one person makes in our lives.
>From your message it does not sound like you use outside caregivers. Perhaps it is time to see what type of caregiving assistance you can get from an agency. If you have a local Center For Independent Living they should be of enormous help. The state of Nevada has an excellent program that allows us to use an agency but we are in charge of the hiring and firing and training of the caregivers. About 25 years ago to quads wrote a program and got it passed through legislature that allows nonprofessionals to do a bowel care, catherization and would care after training. Although my family at times has been my immediate caregivers we are fortunate enough to have been able to find some great attendants over the past 23 years. The state pays the agency on a sliding scale depending on income. The Medicaid program as I understand it pays each qualifying client $15.50 per hour for up to 35 hours per week. But of course you have to qualify for Medicaid. As a precaution, you might wish to see about setting of a living trust for yourself so that your ownership of your home and vehicle does not disqualify you from a Medicaid program. I am a caregiver for two mentally retarded men and we had to be sure they did not have more than $1500 in property or savings or they lose their Medicaid. Not knowing your situation I would be cautious about owning real property in excess of what is allowable in your state. I hope your dad can take care of his medical problems and be with you a long time, I truly know what you're facing and how scary it can be. My best to you and your dad. Joan "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."-Franklin D Roosevelt"
