How can I get help for my dad while he's still at home?
Answers
Your story is all too familiar, and the problem is that there needs to be some planning for in-home care, and some professional assistance in so doing.
have your father checked out by a geriatric specialist to see if his periods of confusion are diabetes related, based on an imbalance,(food or medicine) or if he has some dementia. If it is a diabetic imbalance he needs to be compliant so he is safe to drive. If it is a dementia, he is not safe to drive. Harming himself or others falls into YOUR responsibility if you know he is unsafe and you do not take precautions to stop him from getting on the road. A geriatric physician can help you take the keys away. It will make him mad, but he is currently in danger of harming himself and others if he is getting behind that wheel.
Based on his income, unless you can supplement, or unless he is a veteran that served during war time, the only help is either from a Medicaid program or some other charitable funding that provides home care. Check with your area agency on aging, county aging services, your church (if applicable) or pay a geriatric care manager to assess and make recommendations.
search Caring.com for "area agencies on aging" and "geriatric care managers" to find help or http://www.n4a.org/programs/eldercare-locator/ is a direct link for finding the area agencies on aging and http://caremanager.org/ is a direct link to find a geriatric care manager.
He has medicare not medicaid and we are in Florida. Thanks again.
