[grahambda]

Sadly my 75-year-old father is suffering from end-stage Parkinsons, just a few years ago he and my mother would play golf 3-4 times a week, now he can't speak, feed or dress and falls constantly. This is putting a tremendous toll on my mother (as the sole caregiver) and my husband and I can only help periodically due to our jobs which are out of the State. We have tried the home care service providers but none of the care providers they have sent has been experienced enough to cope. None have had any experience dealing with PD patients and are unable to help when he falls - it seems the hourly rates they pay their employees are so low they cannot attract the level of caregiver he needs, we have been paying approx $25.00 per hour but the caregivers rarely receive more than $15.00 and they have to pay for their own transportation to and from their patients).
We have searched for vacancies at full time living facilities, but none so far have available beds and most have a waiting list of more than year, we started our search within 10 miles of TV, so that my mother could visit him on a regular basis, but we have now have had to expand that search to a 50-mile radius, again no vacancies. The two that did have vacancies have terribly reviews and one was being sued by the families of the patients!
We have turned our efforts to try and find and hire directly a caregiver that could live out and provide up to 30 hours a week of caring for him in his home with occasionally spending the night. But despite contacting a few via recruitment agencies none have responded. In addition to the obvious concern over my Fathers situation, we worry constantly about the health and well being of my mother (both emotionally and physically) and she may not be able to copy very much longer.
I would welcome any advice and recommendations to try and find a caregiver for him and any thoughts on long term care facilities that may have a vacancy soon. You can private message me also. Thank you in advance for reading this post.

[rtharner]

I can relate to your heartfelt situation. I have no solution, but with the high visibility of this board, I am hoping you get lots of good responses.

[davem4616]

it's not an easy path that you are traveling on, especially being out of state....I'm on a similar path, albeit searching for the right memory care facility....24x7 care giving is draining

consider giving "A Place For Mom" a call...gender doesn't matter....you should be able to google their number (for central Florida/The Villages). They've already done a lot of the leg work, and seem to have a good handle on what's available in the local area...it won't cost you anything, as they get a cut from the facility for the referral once you make a decision.....they are not pushy


They were able to provide me with a couple of in home service companies, and a number of facilities in and around The Villages to check out

moving a loved one into a nursing home because they can no longer be cared for at home pulls at the heart...

good luck and God bless

[Taltarzac725]

Palliative hospice could help but I believe you need a physician to sign off on getting them to come in. I had heard they have caregivers who come into the home as well as volunteers, a registered nurse, a chaplain, and a social worker.

The Benefits of Palliative Care | What You Need to Know | ZaggoCare

I know nothing about ZaggoCare but am familiar with Vitas.


VITAS Hospice Office in The Villages | Lake & Sumter Counties | VITAS | VITAS Healthcare

Hospice Care at Home | VITAS Healthcare

[xkeowner]

We had a very recent experience with VITAS and while it was mostly very positive, I don't believe they will be the answer to your needs. We then moved on to Cornerstone and received the support we badly needed. We had the support we needed in less than 48 hours. Hope they can do the same for you. Sorry, but we are traveling and I don't have the phone number to give you.

[Taltarzac725]

Palliative Care : Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care

I have had a little interaction with Cornerstone and they were professional. This was concerning the last few hours of a close relative. Vitas has been better for our needs but these needs will, of course, differ a great deal from family-to-family. We also need to bring in Right at Home workers. Home | Right at Home

[Eg_cruz]

Have you tried Care.com.

[me4vt]

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[villageuser]

My heart goes out to you and your family. This is not an easy journey. Regarding your question, a nursing home is quite expensive but I have heard very good things about the Buffalo Crossings Rehab (https://buffalocrossingsrehab.com/). As of a month ago, they had openings if you can pay, otherwise it is about a year and a half wait if you need financial assistance.

[grahambda]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and suggestions

[Arch S]

Originally Posted by grahambda

Thank you everyone for your kind words and suggestions

I highly recommend Compassionate Care Hospice. Very good and provide more hours of support weekly than some other hospice organizations.

You do NOT need a physician's referral to contact any hospice. They will send someone out to your house to do a formal evaluation to see if the patient is qualified.

I also highly recommend keeping your father at home, NOT in a facility. I can recommend a private caregiver. You may call me for her name and contact info. My number is 407-247-3268

[jemiester]

Please get another opinion on his Parkinson’s meds! See a movement specialist, contact the local and National Parkinson’s foundation to seek help on getting better care and his medications adjusted. Just the slightest change in meds to meet his Dopamine needs may be what he needs .Maybe a deep brain stimulator, don’t give up on making sure he is medicated properly!
There is a Parkinson’s support group in the villages, maybe they can help with referrals to a new doctor/Movement Specialist.

[Obrienx4]

Call your dad’s PCP and have them assist you with the next steps in caring for your dad. They should be able to assist you and hopefully they have a social worker that can assist. Also the National Parkinson’s association should have information, best of luck

[Cliff Fr]

Sorry your going thru this and I hope you find a solution

[Holpat39]

Originally Posted by grahambda

Sadly my 75-year-old father is suffering from end-stage Parkinsons, just a few years ago he and my mother would play golf 3-4 times a week, now he can't speak, feed or dress and falls constantly. This is putting a tremendous toll on my mother (as the sole caregiver) and my husband and I can only help periodically due to our jobs which are out of the State. We have tried the home care service providers but none of the care providers they have sent has been experienced enough to cope. None have had any experience dealing with PD patients and are unable to help when he falls - it seems the hourly rates they pay their employees are so low they cannot attract the level of caregiver he needs, we have been paying approx $25.00 per hour but the caregivers rarely receive more than $15.00 and they have to pay for their own transportation to and from their patients).
We have searched for vacancies at full time living facilities, but none so far have available beds and most have a waiting list of more than year, we started our search within 10 miles of TV, so that my mother could visit him on a regular basis, but we have now have had to expand that search to a 50-mile radius, again no vacancies. The two that did have vacancies have terribly reviews and one was being sued by the families of the patients!
We have turned our efforts to try and find and hire directly a caregiver that could live out and provide up to 30 hours a week of caring for him in his home with occasionally spending the night. But despite contacting a few via recruitment agencies none have responded. In addition to the obvious concern over my Fathers situation, we worry constantly about the health and well being of my mother (both emotionally and physically) and she may not be able to copy very much longer.
I would welcome any advice and recommendations to try and find a caregiver for him and any thoughts on long term care facilities that may have a vacancy soon. You can private message me also. Thank you in advance for reading this post.

Check with your primary care doctor. If it is a good one she or he will work with you in finding the right solution. My husband has stage 5 Parkinson's. Our primary doctor recommended Vitas Home Health Care. They came and explained their program with me. Excellent services that I don't need at the present time.