You're right, the 24/7 part is probably not doable for many potential caregivers.
On Wed, Feb 19, 2020 at 2:31 PM Lori Michaelson <[email protected]> wrote: > Thanks Eric... > > This newspaper cover all of Tucson not just via the "paper" itself but > online and other ways people can look at the paper. > > I also mentioned that I have signed up with care.com whereby you can > choose any of the caregivers (and choose any number of miles away from > where you are), view what they do and how they describe themselves as and > their ages and write to them where they can view on the site and they get > notified through their e-mail. > > I also mentioned that I have tried Next Door.com whereby I have chosen > over 60 neighborhoods in my area. Great source of information and what is > happening in your area or town whether it be just about anything including > advertising for free. Unlike care.com that charges a fee. > > Anyway... hard to find someone who will do 24/7 but that is what I really > need and then giving them off at intervals like I have done over the past 4 > years. > > Everything from advertising to what people want to get paid is being > beyond expensive. I am in a very tough spot. > > ~ Lori > > On Wed, Feb 19, 2020 at 12:55 PM Eric Olson <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Sorry you're having trouble finding someone. I had this site >> bookmarked. http://assistantpages.com/ Not sure it will help. How >> local is this paper? I think you should think about expanding your search >> area. I get where you're coming from about using the word quadriplegic. It >> can make you a target but it's not really something you want to spring on a >> potential caregiver either. Wish you luck >> >> On Tue, Feb 18, 2020 at 3:18 PM Lori Michaelson <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> Okay, only one member on here knows of my situation (Dana) but I really >>> need to ask a question. >>> >>> I have been on my own for the last 40 years as a high-level quad. I have >>> always lived with family except over the last 4 years whereby I found a >>> live-in caregiver that I could afford. Now the live-in caregiver I have >>> had over the last 4 years users moving on and out-of-state. In our original >>> contract if either of us were moving on we had to give the other person a >>> 90 day written notice. She gave me a good 6 months notice so I've started >>> advertising in January. >>> >>> I found her via craigslist when I was in Pennsylvania living with family >>> who wanted me to move on when they knew I had nowhere to go. Absolutely >>> nowhere and I was not going to move into a nursing home. I had a beautiful >>> support dog and I would NOT survive in a nursing home anyway. All of my >>> caregivers over the years know that I would not survive in a nursing home >>> 2 months and I know that as well with my needs. >>> >>> Unfortunately or fortunately, I am not eligible for state help and that >>> is because I received my Social Security from working, my husband's Social >>> Security, a big savings account for so many reasons (I need a lot of dental >>> work, I need to be able to have a co-pay for a new caregiver and so many >>> other reasons) as well as my husband investing before he passed away. >>> "Spending down" is like committing financial suicide because I don't think >>> versions of Medicaid is going to last long and I have no way of controlling >>> what I get from Social Security every month as well as a small annuity from >>> the accident (which is peanuts when you live alone and my lawyer at the >>> time screwed that up by not factoring in inflation and "What if Lori needs >>> around-the-clock care at some point?"). >>> >>> * I put an ad on craigslist for 30 days which will be up on February >>> 20th - soon. I got absolutely no response from anyone from that route. It >>> used to be free to advertise 4 years ago but now it is $25. >>> >>> * I have signed up with care.com but have not found anyone yet. >>> >>> * I put an ad on the Facebook closed group for caregivers in my area but >>> no responses. >>> >>> * For those familiar with Next-Door ... I put feelers out there with no >>> response. >>> >>> * I have thought about putting an ad in our town newspaper and I have >>> spoken with the head of classifieds for this. Their highest circulation >>> output is Sundays and Wednesdays and if I want it and therefore a month it >>> will be $273. I have used as little words as possible but my question to >>> you guys is: >>> >>> When advertising in a newspaper and you live alone... should you use the >>> word Quadriplegic? I have to have a way for people to reach me so I put my >>> phone number and e-mail and asking for a "live-in" caregiver. >>> >>> I need to start training people ASAP since my current live-in is leaving >>> the first week in August which sounds like a while from now but by the time >>> you train someone and you make sure they are going to stay for a good >>> amount of time for it to be worthwhile... time goes by quickly. >>> >>> My wheelchair batteries had some dead cells and they needed to be >>> replaced which just happened this past Tuesday. My co-pay for those is $244. >>> >>> My live-in caregiver has not had a break in a year because of certain >>> situations so she has really burned out and the one caregiver in my area >>> who knows my care (but has a family and a full-time job) is going to take >>> care of me 3 days next week and that is $600 but I have no other option. >>> >>> I have contacted so many places including my local Center for >>> Independent Living and, being a quad as long as I have and working for an >>> independent living center for 7+ years and having lived with family or my >>> spouse over the last 40 years and to be fortunate to have found a fabulous >>> live-in caregiver for the last 4 years... I am now desperate. >>> >>> My health deteriorated after being hurt soon after moving back here >>> along with a domino effect that caused to this very day but I still have a >>> great power wheelchair, Roho cushions, a fully adjustable hospital bed >>> which I have always needed, a rotating air mattress that I have found my >>> body can't go without (terrible autonomic dysreflexia if it's not working), >>> my big Desktop Computer that I keep so very active with with many programs >>> on it, my nice wheelchair conversion minivan, my German Shepherd support >>> dog that I want to train more, and a host of different things that I >>> definitely need for daily care. >>> >>> So, I guess I will advertise in my local newspaper but maybe just for >>> two weeks to start but I need to know your opinion on me using the word >>> Quadriplegic or not. Factoring in that I have pain medications. Finding >>> trustworthy people in general is hard enough but to find someone new will >>> be dependent upon for your whole care... :-( >>> >>> Thank you! >>> ~Lori >>> >>> -- >>> “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the >>> mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as >>> prayer.” ― Dean Koontz >>> >> > > -- > “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind > and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” > ― Dean Koontz >
