Paul, I'm a c5/6 quad also. I've been living alone for the last 10 years or so and I find good help is cyclic. You need a connection to aides who can do your care. Here is how I would do it. Find an agency who can staff aides that can meet your needs. Then you always have backup when you need it. If you cant afford an agency indefinitely for all your care, ask the aides from the agency if they know anyone who would like to work for you privately- it usually costs about half as much. Recruiting aides who work at the agency is frowned upon if not illegal (even though it happens all the time). Here are few other pointers: Get lots of practice training aides A great aide isn't necessarily cute, a great conversationalist, a specific gender or even very smart. You are looking for a punctual reliable person who will come when you need help and clean up shit. You are not looking for a girlfriend or even a friend. Your paying them to do a job. Train them well early and keep up on it. Probably shouldn't compare it to training a dog but there are many similarities. Dont be afraid to confront them when they are not doing what needs to be done (also compliment them when they do well). I'd say 75% of all aides can physically handle the job (I weigh about 180) so there is no reason to limp along with crummy care. I like to have at least 3 aides at any one time. Stay loyal to the ones who deserve it. It's about your safety and there's no way to work a real job if you cant get out of bed reliably. Guys, feel free to chime in... -Joe
On Sun, Jun 1, 2014 at 12:52 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > I am laying in bed waiting on my aide.She has been with me for a few years > and I can't take her lateness and attitude towards the job.I have had > enough and so has she. > > Can you good folks give me some advice in finding a new aide? Do I > advertise? Do you know a good interview process? Can you direct me to some > resources? Any thought is appreciated.This is difficult for me.I am a C5/6 > quad who lives alone. > > Thank you all, > Paul > >
