Home care

[sam]

Hi I I am new here, 50 years old, have had MS for 18 years
an I'm at the stage where I'm going to need a few days a week of home care, and I am not too happy about it, was just wondering if I can get anyone's feedback on this.
Thanks Sandra

[Milhous]

I am 56 so I know your situation.
I have had home health helping with my bathing for over 7 years now and have had cleaning people for may more years.
It is a hard transition to admit that you need help and to let them in your house and clean feeling that you should be able to do it your self.
But look at it that it conserves your energy to allow you to do other things and conserving energy is important with MS

Blessings Mary

[mackydarling8]

Home Care

Hello,
I was diagnosed 37 years ago but became wheelchair bound two years ago. Have someone come in for cleaning, getting mail, bathing 4 days per week for about 2 hours. Fortunately, I know someone personally who manages assisted living facilities. So, try to get someone who is well known through a friend or associate! Hang in there!!

[suzq]

Hi Sandy, it is a very hard thing to admit that you need help. I definitely needed it, two years before I actually got it. I depended on family members and I realized it was unfair to them, so I got a caregiver to come in. That was 10 years and nine caregivers ago. (I know that seems like a lot of caregivers, but the turnover rate is high in that industry).

Anyway, it was the best thing I could have done. It took the stress off my family, it took my guilt of depending on them away and I have met some AWESOME people.

With the exception of two, I am still in touch with all of them. So along with having your house clean, your laundry done and your personal care done you make some incredible friends.

Good luck and take care, Susan

[screwed]

i know how u feel

[my named is screwed because that's how i feel with this ms. i've had ms for over 28 yrs. when i first got home care i felt like a useless human being. but as the years went by i have met some of the most loving and caring people in the world. it is hard at first to get use to but don't pity yourself it only makes it harder to accept. right now i have beautiful woman coming and going in and out of my home and boy does that make my day. can't do nothing with them but it sure as hell makes my day to see such friendly smiles and cheers from my ladies.

[kellygrn]

Guess I'm the "old timer" here

I have had in home care givers for 8 years now. At first just 3 days a week. Now 7 days a week 4 or 5 hours a day. I am bed/wheelchair bound. Can still dress myself & have recently moved into an apartment that is truly wheelchair accessible. I have a "wet" room for bathing. I can manage that by myself since I don't have to worry about messing up the floors. LOL!!!

It is hard to train someone to care for you & your belongings the way you want but that is what they get paid to do. Have a list prepared when they arrive with what is to be done that day. It is still your home. Eventually you will enjoy the company if it is just for short periods.

Remember, they are there to help you & not take over.

KK

[MSMOBILITYMAN]

I also require much home care

I still live in the home of my old gal friend who has tried to make it somewhat accessible for me.
She installed grab bars in her bathroom-hall-bedroom

When I first moved in with her I was able to walk ok back in 2007...As the years passed my ability to walk grew worse & worse; you know 1st the cane..then a walker..then finally the power wheelchair/scooters that I am confined to since 2010 ...all day when not in bed.

The only reason she still puts up with me is the $money$ that I give her...she doesn't take my entire SS check but I do give her most of it.
She is on Social Security and is ---partially disabled herself and needs my financia assistance--she suffers with arthritis in her knees and back plus obesity and can't really manage to take care of me very well...nor does she care to anymore...

I can't use her shower or high garden tub at all anymore
My wash ups are done at the kitchen sink where she gives me my wash up or wash down "water boarding" once or twice a week.
Since I can't use my hands or feet for much of anything anymore...I require total home care nowadays...washing-dressing-cooking -assistance getting up and out of bed...she has to hold the urinal in the night and in the mornings...the bathroom wiping after bowel movements-
desitin application on my bottom--external cather installation & urine tank draining...just to name a few of the things she does for me...

I can't afford to live in an assistive living or have a nurse on duty every day..to do the glucose checking etc.
So what or who would want to be a live-in home health care worker for someone like me?
NO ONE WOULD...IT'S A DIRTY STINKIN JOB unless you can afford to pay visiting angels 20 bucks an hour or 200 dollars a day for only 10 hours...what about the other 14 hours in the day? WHO CAN AFFORD 24 HR CARE?