For the last two weeks, I have spent 12-16 hours a day packing and moving two houses into one. I have finished unpacking and decorating the new house that will combine the household of both my mother and myself. Even though I donated two carloads of household items and clothes to Goodwill, I still managed to have things for which I cannot find a good spot in the new house.
At the same time I have been unpacking, the handyman has been working on modifications to the home for Mom. He is building a ramp in the garage that will accommodate her wheelchair and allow her easy access to enter the home. The next project is her room and bathroom, which requires new flooring and fixtures. We hope to have most of it finished by end of week. I have planned to move Mother in Friday evening. The cost to make this home handicapped accessible is going to be close to $8000.
I am now interviewing in-home care givers, as well. This industry appears to be quite competitive since there were many choices to call in the area. I scheduled appointments with two companies that seem to offer the type of flexible service that Mother will require. The representatives appear to be very eager to help and their follow up has been excellent. The decision of which to choose is ultimately which company offers the service and care that best fits the needs of Mother.
The costs I have been quoted float around $21/hour with a 4 hour minimum. They will provide care givers for multiple shifts and 7 days a week, if needed. Doing the math, if one required 8 hours a day for 7 days a week, that runs $1176/week. On a 4 week month, that is $4704/mo. You will pay time and a half for holidays or overtime. A working family may need more than an 8 hour day. I expect to have a caregiver at least 9-10 hours a day, so that will push the numbers up to about $5500/mo. I know it sounds high, but considering that the assisted living situation costs almost $2000/mo. more and we had to pay a $4000 reservation fee, living at home will be a savings to Mom and a better quality of life.
In-home care assistance is just as much a need for the family caregiver as it is for the loved one that requires the care. The responsibility to help with a ill, handicapped, or memory-impaired person is huge. It can easily consume your life. Some people are able to handle the task on their own and do it well. For most, including me, it can be exhausting and time consuming. Occasional days of this work is doable, but every day would not enable one to have a life of their own, offer time to work, and add a tremendous amount of stress. It is important to enjoy your time with your loved one and keep your sanity.
For many, adjusting to life with a caregiver in the home will take some time. In the next coming blogs, I will write about the experience of this process.
