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My parents have a home health care policy. It is paying for up to 4 hours a day in home for each of them. It will provide this for up to 2 years before the benefits end. But..it isn't enough to cover a overnight care giver. The 4 hours for Dad cannot be combined with the one for Mom to get an 8 hour shift for Mom. The service the in home care giver must provide has to be specific to the need of the beneficiary. (Feeding, bathing, etc)

I have talked with the dept of public health which is the "senior support" here. Because of my parents financial resources..they are not eligible for any services.

My Dad has a visiting nurse from the VA, but that isn't any help for Mom.

I have asked at the two local hospitals for a referral to another physician for Mom...all the clinics and Docs I have called have all said the same...not accepting new Medicare patients.

Since she is a stroke victim, and has COPD, plus AFib, and a small hole in her heart...I am scared to try to give her anything at all. Even a herb tea could have consequences. I cannot let her try to move around by herself...she is a high risk for falls...and the blood thinners make a fall a potential life threatening event besides.
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Katiekate, it was extremely generous of you to go to Colorado to care for your parents. As you have learned, you cannot do this alone. Your parents need either in-home help, and lots of it, or a care center, where there is around-the-clock trained and well-rested help.

This is Not Your Fault. It is not a deficiency in you. It is about the nature of their impairments. The broken sleep/wake cycle is particularly difficult for one person to deal with.

Finding new doctors may be a great improvement. But no matter how wonderful the doctors are, one person can still not provide around-the-clock care in a private home for two people on different schedules.

Finances may strongly influence whether to try to bring in enough help into the home or to find suitable care in a facility. But you really can't do this alone.

Your parents are so lucky you have come to them and can help them get the care they need.
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Kate
I'm sorry you're going through this - one elderly parent is too much to handle alone and you have two at a time

Not knowing what your parents' financial situation is try contacting your local area on aging to do a needs assessment for care - you need help - both custodial care and perhaps home health care - a visiting nurse or nurse practitioner and there are doctors who will take on new Medicare patients

Do you have a senior center in your city for referrals or a hospital with a senior care network ?
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