My wife had a massive stroke in 2013. She needs total care and is in a Hospice Home now. Thinking about bringing her home to care for her. I have a patient lift but may need a different sling and a motorized hospital bed. I have to sell my dining room furniture to make a convenient place for the bed. I am 76 and in pretty good physical shape. My wife is 83. Her right arm and leg do not function, and can be painful when transferred. She cannot speak or help transfer. I was thinking I could care for her if I had help 4-5 hours a day Monday through Friday.
My heart really goes out to you. This is such a sad ending to your life together. Can you afford 4-5 hours of help a day? Is your wife on Medicaid? If so, talk to her Medicaid case worker about what might be available if you bring her home.
If I were in her situation, and I recognized my husband and understood his relationship to me, I would want him around a lot. But I would also want to avoid as much pain as possible. I would want experienced people transferring me, bathing me, changing me, etc.
Unless you can afford much, much more support - preferably from people staying in your home - I really don't think it would be doable.
Are there particular aspects of her care at the hospice that you're not happy with?
But it takes a village in the Hospice Home to take care of your wife. There are nurses, aides, cooks, housekeeping, cleaning crews, etc. all doing their jobs. And when you think about it the average age is around 35-40, and that is for a reason... they have the energy. They work 8 hours then go home for a peaceful night sleep, while the night shift takes over.
I found being in my 70's [I use to be a gym rat], if I lose just a couple hours of sleep I am so sleepy during the day and have no energy. Imagine losing sleep every night of the week... it will run you down very quickly.
You could hire professional caregivers, and I would recommend three 8-hour shifts, it would be very expensive as such caregivers are $30-$40/hour. That is the only way I could think it would be feasible to have your wife living back home.
It is better to be a "husband" instead of a "caregiver" for your wife, because you can't do both.
It is admirable of you to want to take care of your wife, but as the others have said it is a massive undertaking.
I would use this time to just be by her side and let the professionals in hospice take care of the rest. Otherwise you will be worn down by the day to day stuff.
I had this illusion I could do it all as well, but it wasn't the best plan. In hindsight, I made a major mistake.
I would instead, continue doing as you are, and spend as much quality time with your wife as possible.
You are every woman do dream of a good and honorable husband, and know that I will be thinking of you in your efforts to make your wife's life as happy as you can! You are So Sweet! And Dont forget to Take Care of you too!
Hospital bed
Hoyer lift and slings (ask for a full sling with a commode hole as well as a split leg sling.
Do you have a bathroom where you can get her into the bathroom to bathe her? Or will you have to do bed baths?
Do you have carpet in the room where you will care for her? Carpet makes moving equipment difficult.
Do you have help? You alone will not be able to care for her 24/7.
If she is able to stay where she is and if she is well cared for you might want to reconsider bringing her home. You can visit and be a loving husband. Once she is home you will be a caregiver first and a husband second. I can tell you first hand the stress of caregiving takes some of the fun out of being a loving spouse. (I use the term fun loosely and in jest) where she is you can concentrate on her, hold her hand, talk to her.
As a caregiver you will be concerned about changing her, when she is constipated, aspirating, watching for skin breakdown and all the not so great things of caring for someone.
Yes you loose sleep now worrying about her but when she is home the worry will be intensified and you will be the one getting up at night to change a brief, turn her, adjust pillows.
think long and hard about bringing her home.
figure expenses now and when you will have to pay for a caregiver for a good portion of the day and possibly at night as well if she needs extra attention at that time.
And if you have children will they help, will they relieve you, but remember they have lives and families of their own and they will probably come first. (and I am sure your wife would want that)
Lots to think about, listen to your heart and to your head.