What happens when the caregiver is ill or away?
The flu has been everywhere this year. I had a bout and was out for a week. Having the flu and unable to provide support for Rick was worrisome but we did ok. But it made me acutely aware of a topic that we have not discussed - What do you do when the caregiver is ill?
Stroke survivors have several levels of care. Some are pretty independent with minimal assistance and yet others require full time care. How do you plan? What are your options? How to keep them safe? and what you need to do to recover?
This has become a topic of concern lately at support groups. This week, I would like to share some ideas and strategies on how to navigate care when you are ill or away from home?
4 key items:
Identify all of your options for care
Develop a plan
Develop a plan of care for the support person to follow.
Your plan for YOU
Identify all of your options for care
U.S. News published an excellent article written by Payton Sy, RN. “What is Respite Care and Where Can I find Respite Caregivers Near Me?” Great information!!!
Respite Care: How to Find It, Keep It and Cost | U.S. News
Respite Care provides short-term relief for caregivers. These include adult day centers, home health care, in-home caregiving, informal family support and temporary stays at an assisted living community.
Costs of respite care can vary, depending on the option you choose, but you may be able to use benefits from Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage to help pay. Private funding may also be available.
There are multiple resources available for caregivers from organizations like the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, the National Adult Day Services Association and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Develop a plan
The best to plan is prior to discharge home from rehab. This allows you time to check out options. But if you are like me, I was living day to day on what would come next. This is also something that only you can provide. Asking family or a friend to help with the plan is the ideal route. They will be able to do the leg work and also identify needs that you have not thought of.
What needs to be in the plan:
Primary contact to initiate respite care.
The chosen options that are arranged and which one is appropriate for the situation. Is it an urgent need when you are suddenly ill or is it for a planned respite?
Who to contact at the chosen options and numbers.
Who will arrange transportation, review plan of care, and provide medical/financial information to the chosen option
Who will be the primary contact and decision maker when the primary caregiver is out. This will require some legal forms to be completed. Check with your lawyer, local social worker, or check online for your states requirements. Many of the respite options can also provide you with this needed information.
Develop a plan of care
The plan of care is a simple tool that provides the individual covering the stroke survivors key information to properly care for them. I recommend that a folder is available with the plan.
Plan of Care should include but not limited to:
Name and demographics.
Copy of their medical cards, MD names, and what hospital they go to
Legal Papers that your support can make decisions
Medical History - Just a list of conditions and the date and location of the stroke
Medication list and when taken. Include any special instructions, such as when to hold a medication
Typical day
Daily challenges and how best to deal. For example; they get angry when you ask them to take meds, tips for providing nutrition (what they will eat), or things that they may try that are not safe
When to call the MD office versus calling 911 or going to the ER
Your plan for YOU
Having someone else care for your loved one is stressful. You don’t want to be a burden. You feel guilty taking time away and what if something happens.
Take a deep breath. Prior to the stroke, you had no control over the future and it is the same now. Check in daily with your support person. Provide them with support and answer any questions. DO NOT share “I know this can be a lot, I can come home”
You need the rest so that you come back healthy, refreshed, and ready to take on the ongoing care. Lastly, make it a routine to check out this website and the Facebook site: stroke caregiver connection. You will be glad that you did.
Stroke Caregiver Connection…Because you care!