Last week the fellow who is my case worker came here to talk about my specific needs and to tell me about my options. He is knowledgeable and courteous. I have found that I become irritated with those who treat me like a child just because I am old. There was none of that.
The result of our conversation is that the home health care people will come in twice a week to deal with my legs. The nurse called me today to set up an appointment for Thursday this week. Duane has that day off from his job so he asked to be here. That way he can learn how the health care workers deal with my legs and he can be a backup if needed. This is Minnesota. We have ice storms. We have snow storms. A backup is a good thing should the worker be unable to get here.
My case worker is setting up a cleaning service that will come in for three hours a week. They will do the basics - clean the bathroom, mop the floors, dust, vacuum, etc. Should there be time after that, they will do specific jobs like cleaning out a cupboard or washing windows, etc.
These services are not free. I did not expect them to be. The cost to me is based on my income and which services I require. Bottom line - I pay $59 per month. I was surprised. I thought it would cost me more than that. The fee is well within my budget and as far as I am concerned, worth every penny.
This will take some getting used to. Having people who are not family in my home three days a week is not something I normally do. But I will just have to adapt, for I think this will be a good thing. As my youngest son said when I called him to tell him what was happening, "Good, Mom. Now maybe life will be easier for you."
He may be right.
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I'm glad you're doing this. I think it WILL make your life a little easier. Just remember to keep your eyes open. Most of those folks are fine, but a few have sticky fingers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gorges...I think it will work out for the good. I have little that is worth stealing, but keep cash and checkbook out of sight. This is a small apartment. It will be easy to watch the goings on.
DeleteThat is a great price. We've had to find meal delivery service for our 85 year old Dad, and you are right, treat him like adult not a child. Glad you got help. Praying the help is honest as well for you.
ReplyDeleteKristina...I did a search of weekly cleaning services in my area and the cheapest would cost me $300 a month! I'm pretty sure that home health care out of pocket would be considerably more. I guess there are some government programs that really do help.
DeleteOne of the churches in town has a missions program that delivered one meal a day to my neighbor. The service I am using is through the county and has meal delivery. Hope you can find help for your Dad.
One of my biggest gripes is when folks talk to me like I am 7 years old when I am 71 and still have functioning brain cells! The next waitress or nurse's aid who addresses me as "Sweetie" had better duck. :)
I never did ask this question, you are of Northern European decent correct??? I'm asking because no one is as stubborn as us N.E. OK Scandinavians wink. Glad things are working out.
ReplyDeleteRob...No Scandinavian. Scottish on Mother's side - French on Dad's. Deadly combination, I think. :)
DeleteIt is a relief for me that this service thing seems to be working out.
Scottish, just as stubborn as Swedish, Norwegian, Finns, and the rest
DeleteRob...Not too long ago I asked my kids if I was a problem to them yet. All of them said no, not yet. Except that I am stubborn. Don't know where they got that idea. :)
DeleteMore time to do the stuff you want to do!! Cheering you on from here.
ReplyDeleteOn the serious side, I know change is hard. At least it is for me. I'll be that broken record again - have them change the sheets!! Saves the back and other body parts. Just my 2-cents, again.
So refreshing that your case worker was so good at his job. I felt that way about my first counselor for my CPAP machine. The new gal, not so much.
This week the highs are in the 40s and Thursday night is supposed to be our first freeze. Brrr. I'm ready. Off to do some grocery shopping and then making something in my Instant Pot. For the latter, I joined a few sites on FB that are kicking out some recipes that look interesting. Found out that the largest size IP,8 QT, will do water bath canning, FYI, and your Christmas list perhaps. Smile.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...Thanks for being my cheering section!! I have high hopes for this all working out. I know it will be a relief to have someone else dealing with the chores that have become difficult for me. I hadn't really thought about having more time to do the things I enjoy, but that is an added bonus. So far the people I have seen have been easy to work with. I hope that continues.
DeleteOur weather seems to be mirroring yours with colder temps and freezing nights. I always feel sorry for the little kids who have to wear heavy winter coats over their cute costumes for Trick or Treating.
Duane said he checked out the electric pressure cookers at one of the big box stores near here. He said there are so many things one can do with them. They are a bit spendy, but if Santa doesn't bring me one, I think I will wait for a sale and invest in one. With my limited storage space, I like the idea of one appliance for several uses. And I have a big pork roast in the freezer that my sister brought me from their hog farm plus a couple of whole chickens that would be fun to cook in one. I also like that the cooker can be used as a water bath canner. And I confess - I do love my kitchen gadgets. :)
Definitely get the 8 QT - that's the one that will do canning according to the cookbook I just bought. If you go with the Instant Pot - start reading on blogs and FB. Their 'instructions' aren't very helpful, imo. Also you might tell Santa to buy a few extra rings - according to the cookbook they advise a ring for 'savory' and a ring for 'sweets'. The rings tend to hold onto the flavors.
DeleteFreezing temps starting tomorrow here. I'm ready. Taking my car in today for an oil change. I'm slowly working away at my to-do list.
We, the dog and I, survived Halloween. There were a lot of fireworks for about an hour which stresses him out, poor boy. But it was over quickly and none went off near my apartment.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...I was talking to Duane about the cooker a little while ago. I told him about the canning part. He said I could just set it on the counter next to the sink, which would be lots easier than trying to lift my heavy canner or having to carry water back and forth from the sink to stove. Seems to me it would be well worth the investment on several levels.
DeleteWe have had several nights below freezing already. I have sort of put my to-do list on hold until I get these services lined up. The nurse comes here tomorrow and I am waiting to hear from the cleaning service. It is kind of funny - in about two weeks I have gone from leading a very quiet life to having to juggle appointments so the health care people are not here the same time my groceries are delivered and the cleaner doesn't come in when health care is here. My youngest son and I had a running joke. He would ask what I was doing on a certain date and I would reply that I had to check my calendar, both of us knowing full well it was blank. Now I may really have to check it. :)
It was quiet in my neighborhood on Halloween. The parties must have been on the other side of town this year. Glad both you and the dog survived!
You got me laughing about the 'calendar' joke. I had the same kind of discussion with a friend I'm trying to have lunch with. She's the one with the busy calendar and works FT. Me - I have 2 appointments between now and Feburary!!
DeleteAbout the IP - the instructions say it's only good for water bath canning. It's not a true pressure canner for low acid foods. Another FYI.
No snow yet although we're having a huge rain storm. I'm tucked in for the day & dog is snoring at my feet. Life's good.
SJ
SJ...I got to thinking about that today. There is my grocery delivery every other Thursday, home health care twice a week and the cleaner once a week. YIKES! I may have to invest in a for real calendar!!
DeleteI didn't think the IP would replace my big pressure canner. But it sure will be nice for smaller batches of things like jam, etc.
We had a few snowflakes in the air earlier today, but otherwise it is just cold. Temp was 35 degrees about an hour ago. I got lazy and just opened a jar of my home canned vegetable soup. Added a jar of beef cubes and called it good. I don't have the snoring dog, but tucked in with some yarn and a crochet hook and maybe an old movie sounds pretty darned good to me. :)
My calendar (spiral bound, old school) resides on the floor next to my recliner. Very old school and I call it 'my 2nd brain'.
DeleteHow'd it go with the nurse?
Yesterday's rain did indeed turn to snow overnight. Just a light dusting. I can still see the grass poking through and the sidewalks are all melted off already. Winter is here for sure. And early.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...Yesterday was mostly getting the schedule set up and going over the mountain of paperwork involved. I need to go to the Dr. next week because the home care nurses can do nothing without orders from him. Nothing is ever easy, is it!!
DeleteNothing but a few flurries predicted for here, but it is staying cold - around the freezing mark. OK by me. I am spending the rest of the weekend working on several partially finished quilt tops to see if I can get them done and ready to do the quilting. I know I could finish them faster if I used my sewing machine for the quilting, but I just don't like the looks of machine quilting. Reminds me of something I could buy at Walmart. So I stay 'old school' and hand quilt or tie them. I enjoy the process, so it is ok. :)
Winter seems to have arrived here, too. Dug out the flannels the other day, so I am ready. Sort of. :)
That is a great price. Even if they only had time to clean one cabinet shelf or window per week, cabinets and windows would get cleaned more often than I can and do! That is a great price. I don't worry about people taking my purse or money. It is the odd thing I have left out or things visible in the front of my dresser drawers that I worry about. I would have no problem staying in the room where they are working! I need to make another appointment about the same service for myself. I cannot change sheets since I broke a bone in my hand. It was next to impossible before I broke the bone, so now it impossible.
ReplyDeleteLinda...I am really happy with the price. I thought for sure it would be much more. I am not too worried about theft, mainly because I have nothing worth stealing except for a pearl necklace Duane gave me several years ago and my Mother's necklace my kids gave me on my 50th birthday. I have those stashed where anyone would have to work at it to find them.
DeleteI hope you can find the help you need. I think I will like having someone come in to do those things that I have trouble doing. I know life will be much easier.
I think it's a good thing. With some of the load taken off you, you'll have fewer worries. I just told my wife this morning that it seems like every day I get up and by the time I finish all the repetitious chores that have to be done, the morning is gone.
ReplyDeleteHarry...I was reluctant to get involved with a government program, even at the county level. We know that the scariest words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I am here to help.' After coming to the realization that this was the only option open to me, I decided to give it a go. I think it will be ok.
DeleteThis getting older thing isn't all that much fun sometimes, is it. Chores that I could breeze through now take the better part of the day. And there are things I just plain can no longer do without help. I hate that, but there it is. If I get the help I need I can stay in my cozy little apartment. That is very important to me. Living in a group home or nursing home situation is my idea of Hell on earth. Neither one of us plays well with others. :)
Vicki, this sounds great. I am glad to hear it's affordable and will make things easier for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenn...It will take some getting used to, for other than kids and grands I have been alone most of the time for several years, and I liked it that way. But it will be worth it.
Delete