A question

[SusieIM]

Hi dear ladies,

I think about you all often. I may know the answer to this question but decided to post here, in case anyone can share new information. I know about the fact that there is a hospice program, where we can sign up to be looked after for our final days. I live in California, bay area. Are there any programs available for someone in our situation, who does not need to be in hospice yet but needs some help in getting around, or even reasonable assisted living facilites? My guess is, one can hire help, pay for expensive assisted living programs and that's about it. If one has low income, one may be qualified for some free assistance. I think options are limited if you are inbetween, not low income but not high income. I tried looking for something for my dad when he was alive, had difficulty. Anyway, let me know if anyone has any ideas that I don't know about.

Hugs and prayers,

Sue

[Iwasborntodothis]

I was the caregiver for my sister when she had MBC and I found this in-between time care to be very stressful. In home caregivers are very expensive and some have minimums like 8 hrs a day. What really hurts is that this care is t covered by insurance because they are not RN’s. We ended up cashing out my sister’s life insurance early and using this to cover caregivers at night so we could sleep. I don’t think there is anything wrong with thinking or planning for this phase of care and getting ahead of it. My sister was a fall risk so trying to get ahead of that with grab bars and tub seats was crucial to her safety and independence even getting a carpenter to make a ramp for her front door helped. Bottom line don’t be afraid to plan or ask or think about it. Big hugs!

[Iwasborntodothis]

One other thought - we couldn’t do assisted living because she was so young - 50 - and single - guess they were afraid she’d prey on old guys? It seems sort of silly now but it was super stressful at the time.

[SusieIM in reply to Iwasborntodothis]

Thank you for your response! I get around, am working part time. I just wanted to see if anyone had any ideas I have not thought of, about this. My guess is, people who find themselves needing help, ask family for help. Hiring folks to help is expensive.

[bankusboysmom]

I don’t know if this will help...I too thought hospice was for end of life but it’s not. My sister and I have been carrying for my dad and it got to the point where we needed help. We were going to look into home health but his doctor told us to call hospice. We did and what a difference it has made. Hospice is worth their weight in gold. I don’t know if this is available in California but it’s worth a phone call.

[Red71]

Talk to your oncology group. They should have social workers who know how to handle your problems. My office has social workers and pain specialists and all sorts of people that help at end of life but also help you live your best life along the way.