I’m 73 years old. I am usually able to care for myself daily. Right now my situation involves incontinence emergencies. I’m a urology patient expecting to be scheduled for Axonics Therapy surgery in the next couple of weeks. At that point I will need more intensive care on an hourly basis as I recover. I will need someone strong enough to assist me if I faint or fall which has happened recently. I prefer female middle aged. I weigh 115 lbs.
It would be unusual to be able to arrange for "emergency care" ahead of time, as you can imagine. Call some agencies such as Visiting Angels and the like to discuss options with them.
While you might find some agencies and ads on AgingCare site, do remember that we here are just a bunch of caregivers giving advice on a forum.
You are on a chat forum of caregivers to loved ones here.
Good luck to you
If you can afford this, you can afford to provide decent pay and conditions to a carer.
Since you haven’t had the surgery yet, get a hold of a caregiving company and arrange for someone to be there on 24/7 until you’re stable again. It’s all right. It’s OK to have someone around to help. They might be able to do other things in the house to help you while they are there.
It sounds like the care you are seeking may be best delivered by a neighbor or relative who is willing to help. At the very least, have them watch some YouTube videos on assisting a fallen senior - particularly the “two chair” method because it’s safer for both parties. As a “concerned stranger,” I would insist you get an “emergency button” to push in an emergency and keep it on your wrist 24/7.
A few Home Healthcare Agencies have been experimenting with a “care by the minute” payment scenario, but it is not designed for emergency care. It is often limited to I/ALFs or senior communities. Typically, there is a trip charge and a per-minute fee of $1-2. So, the first hour of care could cost upwards of $150 - an expensive lunch or load of laundry.
Suza, now that I have added my two cents, can I give you another bit of free advice?
Many smart, successful, and well-meaning seniors live in “hope and denial” rather than being proactive and forward-thinking in managing their health, happiness and independence.
It sounds like you are someone who is taking responsibility for your own health and well-being and planning ahead for your needs. Give yourself a pat on the back and a big hug from me!
I get the sense (no facts) that you haven’t yet come to terms with the idea that a bit of help to keep your independence is a good thing. As someone who is smart, forward-thinking and responsible, I suggest you take an entrepreneurial or managerial approach to the situation.
If you were the CEO, you would say, “Let’s get someone to help out with the work we can’t do, don’t want to do, or don’t like to do.”
Consider that your body is now your business. Take a day or two and make a list of the things you may no longer be able to do, don’t like to do, or don’t want to do, and make a few phone calls to local home care agencies and find out how they can help. I promise you it will be a good investment that will pay off in your health, happiness, and independence - whether it’s just while you recuperate from surgery or for longer!
I hope your surgery goes well. Keep us posted! ~BRAD
And if a senior needs help then they are no longer independent.
Why are you fainting and falling recently? How are you addressing this issue with a doctor?
If you fall you will need to call 911 for lift assistance. Fainting can cause more serious injuries so I suggest a life alert call button you wear and can call for help when you wake up.
Do an Internet search on topic, "temporary care for seniors."
I think you should look at hiring someone on a regular basis. Prepare now for your needs. Don’t wait for an emergency to occur and risk the possibility of not having any help.
Best wishes to you.
Do you have a diagnosed condition that is causing you to fall/faint? If you've not seen a doctor for this, I strongly recommend that you do.
If you do have a diagnosed condition that is causing this, I would want an aid who is certified for fall risk clients, and any other medical issue you may have that you have not mentioned in your post.
Do you have a fall-alert system (necklace, button, phone) for your fall issue? Maybe it's time to consider one?
Your Axonics surgery is an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure (sacral neuromodulation implant for incontinence).
Unless you are moving in a live-in caregiver or hiring one to work set hours, you're out of luck.
No one in this line of work is going to keep their schedule free and not take work in case you may need help sometime.
Homecare does not work like that.
If you fall call 911. That's what it's for. Honestly though, if you are incontinent, about to have surgery, often feels faint, and is a fall risk you should have someone living with you who can help. Or consider assisted living.
OR perhaps you'll want to go to a rehabilitation facility to be cared for by medical professionals.
Also, I doubt these folks would lift you. Even home-health occupational therapists don't do that. They'd have to call the paramedics.
Maybe you could just request a "lift assist" yourself and have some sort of well-placed hide-a-key to direct the paramedics to so they don't have to break down your door?
Would you be strong enough to crawl to a lift? If yes, maybe something like "Indeelift" with a walker nearby would work? I think this is for people with a good deal of upper-body strength. Otherwise, it is no longer an "indee" lift and you'd need someone to help.
It's possible that neighbors would these days be too fearful of lawsuits to even help you onto a mechanical lift. That's a pretty sad commentary on what has happened to neighborhoods.
Maybe wearing a helmet would make sense?
For "incontinence emergencies," maybe just wear one of those primo Abena briefs and change it out when the emergency has passed?
All: Please don't judge me for making "unsafe" suggestions. I cannot get a good read on how important it is to Suza150 to recover at home. If it's very important--perhaps even more important than "safety"--it's fair, I think, to at least float a few possibilities. Anyone who can find their way to this forum to solicit advice is in good enough shape to discard my ideas as impractical/too-dangerous/stupid.
Good luck, Suza150!
Could you work with a social worker to help you make needed arrangements? Ask your medical provider for referral or the hospital / medical provider you are associated with.
Gena / Touch Matters
Hope u recovered well.
God bless.
A 24 hr caregiver.