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skotlarok Asked July 2019

Mom falls and can't get up while I'm at work. Is there a program that can send someone to help her up out of the goodness of their heart?

My work is 45 minutes away. Today, she wanted to cook something, so she turned on the stove to warm a pan, and Then she fell. I'm afraid we've reached a hazards point. I'm looking for someone close by who can get to her quicker than I can, but money is an issue. Any ideas where I can find charitable home check ups?

Grandma1954 Jul 2019
Most villages will not charge for a "Lift Assist" but if there is transport to the hospital there will be a charge. I called the Non-emergency number, after hours the call goes to dispatch anyway.
The problem with that is they have to be able to get into the house.
You can provide First Responders with a lock-box and combination and have a key in the lock box.
But it sounds like she should not be left alone.
Cameras or monitors that you can see from your phone or computer might be an option.
There are "alert" products that can detect no motion within a set time period but this type of monitoring does cost. (but compare that cost to that of a fractured hip, surgery, and 3 months in rehab what would cost more...)
You might want to look into Adult Day Care. She would be safe while you are at work.
I would worry about fire if she is trying to use the stove. A dishtowel or hot pad left on or even near a burner might start a fire.

freqflyer Jul 2019
skotlarok, the local fire department in my area is more than happy to help someone who has fallen. Your Mom may need to put a lockbox on her front door with a key to the house, and let 911 dispatch know the code to the lockbox.

How did your Mom notify you that she had fallen while in her kitchen? Was she able to get to her kitchen phone? Or is she using a cellphone?

A really good option is to get a medical alert type set up in Mom's house, where if she falls, she pushes the button on the pendent or wristband she needs to wear. Then that medical alert will contact you first or will contact 911 first, depending on how it is set up.

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TNtechie Jul 2019
Have you checked with the Area Agency on Aging to see if there is an adult day care services available? Or since you only list mobility problems for Mom, could she attend a senior center program while you work? In our area, there's transportation available to and from the center. Depending on your mother's income, these services may be free.

Ahmijoy Jul 2019
Understand that falls are not predictable. No senior falls on purpose. The idea that Mom turned the stove on and then fell down is super-scary, I mean like house fire scary. Most cities have a free well-check program who will call daily at a certain time. If there’s no answer, they’ll send out safety personnel. They only call once a day. If anything happens after that, there’s nothing that can be done. Police will do well-checks if called, but they aren’t going to monitor her every day while you’re gone just in case she falls. You could possible have set times during the day, every few hours for her to call or you to call her. If that doesn’t happen, then call the police. There are special lock boxes provided by some city’s fire departments which contain the house key so the FD doesn’t have to break down the door.

Unless it’s a very, very good friend or dedicated family member, not many will agree to be with Mom for free to monitor her in case she falls. When the nursing home insisted my mom needed a daytime sitter, she paid $20 an hour for the sitter to do nothing but, well, sit. Realistically, a person like this will be almost impossible to find. The world just isn’t like that nowadays, unfortunately. In small towns almost a hundred years ago, everyone looked out for everyone else. Not today. And that’s sad.

As JoAnn writes, Mom should not be alone any longer. Is this going to be an easy decision? Heck no. But, is it worth the stress to worry each day that you will come home to some trauma and possible tragedy?

JoAnn29 Jul 2019
If Mom has no money, you may want to check with Medicaid to see if she qualifies for homecare. At this point, your Mom should not be alone.

Another option would be LTC especially if you have to work. Try Medicaid for this. You may have to take time off work to get everything in place.

Call ur local office of aging and see what they can offer.

Looks like ur going to have some big decisions.

anonymous912123 Jul 2019
If money is an issue, it might be time to engage Medicaid and place her in AL. You can hire a caretaker, but that does not come cheap, actually, in my area it costs more than placing them in AL.
JoAnn29 Jul 2019
An Assisted Living in my area is private pay. Medicaid may pay after at least two years of private pay. LTC usually takes Medicaid but there is a criteria that has to be met.

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