Hospice is for people at the end of life. They might know of good caregivers, but what you're looking for isn't exactly what they're expert in.

I've heard good things about Aging Network Services in Bethesda. They are consultants who walk you through the process. I assume they could advise you on Medicare options and insurance. They can help you pick an assisted living facility, or interview and hire in home caregivers (CNAs). CNAs either work for a company that takes a cut, or they work independently. Aging Network Services would follow up with the company that contracted the CNAs.

I've used both in home care and respite at an assisted living facility. For in home care, I think you're looking at two 12 hr shifts.

I liked the assisted living facility better because of the extra eyes on the family member every day. With in-home care you need a higher level of trust, both in the caregiver's integrity and in their competence, because they work alone.

We have an elderly relative living with us and so far, other family members have been able to care for him if we are out of town.

The question of respite care is not quite the same as hospice. But I too, highly recommend hospice care. It is a concept of focusing on quality of life, rather than taking heroic measures to prolong life as long as possible.

In the DC area, Capital Caring is phenomenal.

Also, through hospice, Medicare covers a caregiver to come bathe our elderly relative 3x a week. And he could go to the bricks-and-mortar hospice facility to stay if we needed respite care (but we've always had other family around when needed). Hospice is supposed to be for people who are expected to live 6 months or less. He has already received two extensions, despite being on oxygen and mid 90s.

I am not local to DC anymore, but yes, Google Hospice and call the one closest to you. They will listen to your situation and will be able to guide you if you are eligible for their services or refer you to some local carefiver agencies. Ask for their referrals, they will know the good ones
Please report back if you need other suggestions

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of insurance does your family member have? You may be eligible for a respite stay at a local rehab type facility if your loved one meets certain eligibility requirements. Do they have any needs, like functional mobility, bathing, dressing?
I would start by calling your local hospice agency

Yes. She needs help with all the daily stuff - getting out of bed, bathroom, feeding. Showers are rare. She wears pull ups during the day and a diaper overnight.

Call hospice, they have a caregivers respite program. I would guess it is not 10 days, but would at least lower your costs if you had to hire private help. Hospice can refer you to private companies who have trained and licenses CNA's that are typically 10-12/ hour. And yes you would need multiple shifts if you go that route

When you say "call hospice" - is there only one hospice care organization? If I google will I find many options? If so, do you any particular one to refer?

Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of insurance does your family member have? You may be eligible for a respite stay at a local rehab type facility if your loved one meets certain eligibility requirements. Do they have any needs, like functional mobility, bathing, dressing?
I would start by calling your local hospice agency

Yes. She needs help with all the daily stuff - getting out of bed, bathroom, feeding. Showers are rare. She wears pull ups during the day and a diaper overnight.

Call hospice, they have a caregivers respite program. I would guess it is not 10 days, but would at least lower your costs if you had to hire private help. Hospice can refer you to private companies who have trained and licenses CNA's that are typically 10-12/ hour. And yes you would need multiple shifts if you go that route

Call Comfort Keepers. They can do anything non-medical, and all their people are bonded and trained.

Anonymous wrote:What kind of insurance does your family member have? You may be eligible for a respite stay at a local rehab type facility if your loved one meets certain eligibility requirements. Do they have any needs, like functional mobility, bathing, dressing?
I would start by calling your local hospice agency

Yes. She needs help with all the daily stuff - getting out of bed, bathroom, feeding. Showers are rare. She wears pull ups during the day and a diaper overnight.

What kind of insurance does your family member have? You may be eligible for a respite stay at a local rehab type facility if your loved one meets certain eligibility requirements. Do they have any needs, like functional mobility, bathing, dressing?
I would start by calling your local hospice agency

travel?

Do you use any kind of respite care? If so, any suggestions of where to start looking for this? What is the average cost and how does it work?

Or do you use someone from care.com and such? ONly one person for the whole time or two people to work different shifts?

If it makes any difference, trip would be for about 10 days. There are no major medical needs such as oxygen tank, checking for insulin levels, etc.