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Parkinson's Disease
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Posted 9/23/2007 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has Parkinson's/Dementia.  He is 81 years old.  My son and I are trying to take care of him, but sometimes it is so stressful.  Lately, he has been talking out of his head; doesn't know where he is.  He got around fairly well until he fractured his leg.  We are broke and can't afford a caregiver - can't get Veterans Aide and Assistance.  I feel absolutely lost!
Posted 9/23/2007 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Peggy sue,Welcome to Healing well.If your father has no funds,and he is a vet he should be able to get Va care.I would contact your local social sevices office,and put a bug in their ear.They should be able to help you get medicaide,medicare or VA assistance.Also ask your fathers doctor for help,and if you have a local PD support group contact them.you can get addresses from the National Parkinson's Disease assoc.You might ask clergy for help as they have lots of contacts.Also check visiting nurse association for assistance.If all else fails contact hospice for assistance,they will evaluate the situation ,and make suggestions.Any other ideas out there?????Wish you and your Dad the best let us know how you make out.Ed
Posted 9/25/2007 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
He could always avail his rights for support from the Veterans Administartion for he was a veteran or go to the government hospital for treatment. Hospice is for terminally ill person and he doesn't need it now.
Posted 9/26/2007 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Council on Aging, medicare may pay for in-home care if he was in the hospital for some time with the broken leg, HRS or whatever they call it in your state should have an elder affairs division, check carefully the blue pages (especially state and county listings) in your telephone book and call around, "Meals on Wheels",  do they have a "First Call For Help" number listed in your phone book?  That's some of the first ideas that I thought of.  Please let us know what you find out.  There are several other things that I could suggest as I deal with problems like this frequently.  I have PD and so does my 81 year old father.  Please, please do not do like my mother and wait for people to call you asking if they can help.  People will be glad to respond to your requests, but very few will seek you out on their own.

Post Edited (gtmriviera) : 9/25/2007 8:55:44 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/28/2007 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
I have already applied for VA aide and assistance - denied - because we make too much and I did not show proof of payment to a caregiver. (I explained I had a "promise to pay" agreement with my caregiver, but that didn't work). You have to be very, very poor to get assistance. We are in the "cracks" of "poordom." My only recourse is to put him in a VA nursing home. The VA will pay so much and Medicaid will pay so much. But, he has to be in the nursing home before I can apply for Medicaid. What if he doesn't qualify - do they kick him out? I'm going to the VA Home today to ask questions. Of course, the law is, when both of you die, your home belongs to the government.
Posted 9/28/2007 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have a very similar situation with my father and, yes, every time that you think you have the answer they explain why you can't do what you need to do.  You probably already know why I'm asking this, but is there anything that would cause his doctor to admit him to a hospital for three days?  He needs to be ina hospital for three days and go from there to a nursing home.  If you have a good relationship with a doctor this will work.  We're not asking the doctor to lie of course.
Posted 9/29/2007 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
PeggySue,You need to hire a lawyer that specializes in estate planning.
Your possibilities are numerous:1.Set up a trust 2.Give the property to your family.3.Divorce your husband .Sue the VA for lack of care for a vet.Just to mention a few.Don't give up give them a helluva fight.i went thru this with my first wife who died of Breast cancer,and racked up a cool million+ in med bills.I left everything in trust which apparently worked.Once again i find myself with Pd facing a similar situation,and divorcee may be my answer that way my ex wife is not responsible for my debts.All situations are unique hence the laawyers do well wish you the best,and my thoughts and prayers go out to you.Ed
Posted 10/3/2007 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Ed. I work for an estate attorney. First of all, Medicaid or VA (or whoever) looks back 5 years - there's no giving your kids your property. I've thought of divorce, but then I would not receive his social security (maybe half of it). Hmmm...I wonder if you got a divorce and still lived together, if I would get half and he would continue to get all of his ss? Probably not. All I'm asking from the VA is a small monetary assistance to pay a caregiver. I think I'm going to go ahead and fill out the forms for Medicaid - maybe they will give me some idea whether Medicaid will pay for his nursing home.
Posted 10/4/2007 10:37 AM (GMT 0)

If you contact the manufacturer of his medications and declare yourself to be a hardship case, they will supply you with medications at no charge. For Sinamet, the manufacturer is Merck. For Mirapex, it is Pfizer. Google for more information.

Posted 10/20/2007 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if anyone else feels like I do (at times), but there's an underlying resentment that follows me. Maybe it's the "sameness" of every day - the daily "requirements" that must be met to take care of an invalid. It seems I cannot find any joy or laughter in my life anymore. (Maybe I'm just having a "pity party"). I feel such an urge to scream! And then, the guilt overwhelms me. Does anyone else feel like this, and what do you do about it? Thanks.
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