About who needs care: He has struggled life-long with bipolar disorder, but is primarily deeply depressed. He declines medical and psychotherapy, despite...
About who needs care: He has struggled life-long with bipolar disorder, but is primarily deeply depressed. He declines medical and psychotherapy, despite multiple attempts by his primary care physician to encourage him. He also refuses to take medications for basic discomforts such as constipation or difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate. Aside from that, he does not have significant medical problems. Unfortunately, he has become seriously deconditioned and has difficulty bathing himself. Previously, he could be convinced to bathe himself with significant encouragement, but now he has become too weak to do it himself safely. He is still able to get out of bed, ambulate, go to the bathroom and feed himself. He goes downstairs frequently to eat, but is very picky about what he's willing to consume. My mother is in her late 70's and still working full time to keep a roof over their heads. She's tired and can no longer convince my dad to bathe or help around the house. She needs help with my father's hygiene more than anything (a weekly or biweekly bath, a hair cut, possibly nail clippings. I can help with some of this when I am in town). They could also use a hand with washing my dad's sheets and clothes as well as straightening up/vacuuming the kitchen and family room. I imagine 2-3 hour visits, 1-2 times a week would make a significant impact on their lives.
About the care needs: Someone kind and patient. Someone who has experience and understanding with elder depression. My mother fears judgement for the appearance of both her home and her husband. It's been difficult to convince her to let me get them help, but now that he's unable to bathe himself safely, it is essential to get him help before one of them gets hurt.
Services needed include: meal preparation, errands / shopping, light housekeeping, feeding, and bathing / dressing.