Back Up Plan for Father-In-Law's Care

3/13/2010 2:43:23 AM #

Most assisted living communities offer short term Respite stays. Although your family may not be ready to consider a permanent long term placement for your father, you and your mother should visit local communities, and select one that you can contact for a Respite stay should an emergency situation arise. That way your mother and other family members will know exactly who to contact for dad’s care. This will also provide your family with peace of mind knowing that dad will be safe and well cared for…. allowing you to concentrate on mom’s health care needs.  As the Community Relations Director for JuniperVillage at Forest Hills, I have worked with many families in such a situation. And, although not everyone has needed our care, those who did, were relieved to have a plan in place.

Bonnie Prisk
Juniper Village at Forest Hills
107 Fall Run Road
Forest Hills, PA15221
(412) 244-9901

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3/13/2010 2:44:29 AM #

Some Assisted Living facilities do respite care, but most only if they have availability.  This can be an option if you find a place that has an available room.  The best choice is planning in advance and talk to your parents about moving together into a senior living community that has levels of care available to them.  That way they can both enjoy the freedom of independent living together, but should something happen to one, the other is not left completely alone.  If this is not something they would consider, I would check out some assisted living facilities in your area so you would know ahead of time of who takes respites, what they require and how often they have availability so at least you are not scrambling to locate places to call should something happen. Of course, you could always go with home health agencies coming into the home, but if you are looking for 24 hour supervision, this could become very costly.

Betty Dockmonish
Redstone Highlands
Community Liaison, Murrysville
724-733-9494 extension 29

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3/13/2010 2:45:14 AM #

In my experience, if he is fighting going anywhere, it might be easier to have someone stay at the house with him. If you have a helpful family, see what they would be willing to do and split up the days and times. You can hire someone to stay with him for the times that the family can't. We do this with my aunt and uncle. It has worked so far for my uncle who insists on staying at his home, and my aunt has only been away for a few days at a time.
Jeannette B.

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3/13/2010 2:45:34 AM #

Asbury Heights offers respite care, (short term stays), and also has secured dementia units.

Amy Wojcik
Asbury Heights
Mount Lebanon, Pa.
412-360-9086

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3/13/2010 2:46:00 AM #

With dementia they could place him as a respite stay in a dementia unit or hire private duty for in the house.

John Nolan
UPMC Independent Living
412-736-1651

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3/13/2010 2:46:50 AM #

We have a similar situation with my parents. My advice - don't wait. Talk to some of the assisted living homes near you and find out which ones do that kind of thing. They call it respite. Ask if they are likely to have a room if something comes up unexpectedly. They won't guarantee an opening, but they can give you an idea of whether the chances are good or not. Visit them and when you find one, maybe try him out there for a short stay. Hope this will help you!  

Laura R., a Caregiver

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