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Conference turris::womannotes-v2

Title:ARCHIVE-- Topics of Interest to Women, Volume 2 --ARCHIVE
Notice:V2 is closed. TURRIS::WOMANNOTES-V5 is open.
Moderator:REGENT::BROOMHEAD
Created:Thu Jan 30 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 30 1995
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1105
Total number of notes:36379

124.0. "Home Care for Elderly" by SMEGIT::BALLAM () Thu Aug 18 1988 10:40

    I'd like to know if any of you have experience/recommendations
    for home-care for the elderly.  My friend is looking for some-
    one to live in on a full time basis in Lexington and Melrose,
    Mass.  What we're looking for is a recommendation of a person
    or perhaps an agency you have had good experience with.  He 
    needs to find someone by September if possible.  
    
    Thanks,
    
    Karen
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124.1Visiting Nurse's AssociationDOODAH::RANDALLBonnie Randall SchutzmanThu Aug 18 1988 11:2916
    New Hampshire has a home nursing association that will make
    regular visits for anyone who needs medical attention, including
    the elderly.  They will also recommend caregivers for people
    who need more attention.  I believe they're called the Visiting
    Nurses Association.
    
    When my neighbor was recovering from emergency surgery after
    complications of a Caesarean, the visiting nurses came every day
    to make sure she was all right.  They found a live-in person for
    four months to take care of the baby and the other kids, and were
    generally helpful, supportive, and nurturing. 
    
    I don't know whether Mass has a comparable organization, but
    I can't speak highly enough of the NH nurses.

    --bonnie
124.2yet another notesfileMEWVAX::AUGUSTINEPurple power!Thu Aug 18 1988 11:515
    There's a notes conference (of course) about Caring for elders.
    Hit <KP7>, or
    	notes> ADD ENTRY CASDEV::CARING_FOR_ELDERS
    
    Liz
124.3this is a full-time position...SMEGIT::BALLAMFri Aug 19 1988 13:5828
    Thank you, Liz.  I've added the conference to my directory.  
    
    Bonnie, thanks for your reply.  The NH Visiting Nurses Assoc.
    may even be able to recommend a similar organization in Mass.
    That's not really what my friend's mother needs, though.  She
    is confined to a wheel chair because of a stroke which left
    her unable to walk (though she has recently begun taking
    steps with the help of a cane...very exciting), and unable
    to form words.  She can understand very well what's going on,
    though, and with her son's irreverent sense of humor she's 
    held up her end of some pretty lively conversations.  It's
    kind of like a constant game of 20 questions.  
    
    She has a woman caring for her now who cares for her personal
    needs, and except for scheduled time off is a constant companion.
    This woman is not a nurse.  In fact, she is leaving the position
    to attend college full time to get her Accounting degree.  
    
    What his family is really looking for is someone with experience
    in caring for an older, disabled person.  This is a full time job.
    Of course, the person must be compassionate, competent, and his
    mother has to *like* this person.  
    
    Again, thanks for the feedback so far.  If anyone can recommend
    a specific person or agency in the Littleton, Mass. area, that
    would be great too.  
    
    Karen
124.4Visiting Homemaker ServiceNYEM1::BENNETTFri Aug 19 1988 15:3523
    Karen,
    
    This is my first experience with answering notes, so please bear
    with me.
    
    I used to belong to a Visiting Homemaker Service in my area.  The
    Visiting Homemakers are "not" RNs or LPNs, but they are trained
    people that take care of: the elderly, new mothers, handicapped,
    mentally retarded and just people that need companionship.  Most
    of the Homemakers are College Students or Housewives and the majority
    of the time it is a part time job, but there are cases where Homemakers
    would want a live in job.
    
    There should be a Homemaker Service in your area, just check your
    phone book.
    
    Being an ex-Homemaker I can say "It was the most rewarding experience
    of my life"!
    
    Good Luck,
    Bethany
    
                               
124.5Day Care for the ElderlyCASV05::RITARIMon Aug 22 1988 09:423
    Are there any hospitals or nursing homes in the area that have day
    care programs?   The client is dropped off in the morning and returns
    home around 5 p.m.  It's another alternative to consider.
124.6The WillowsAWARD2::HARMONWed Sep 21 1988 10:365
    I believe The Willows in Westboro, MA has and adult day care center.
    Sorry I don't have the number, but understand it is a good program.
    
    P.