About who needs care: My dad has stage IV COPD. He is currently in a short-term rehab facility, after spending five days and nights at Mercy Health in...
About who needs care: My dad has stage IV COPD. He is currently in a short-term rehab facility, after spending five days and nights at Mercy Health in Paducah. Today makes 13 days at the rehab facility. Once he goes home, he will need someone to give him his medications, make him one meal per day, help him to the restroom if he needs assistance, and bathe him using wet wipes or warm wash cloths, twice per week.
He has a car but is not driving at the moment.
He wears dentures, which he soaks in Polident every evening before he falls asleep.
My dad spends 98% of his time lounging in his recliner in the living room. He even sleeps there. He normally uses the restroom in the hallway, which is about a 12 foot walk to the restroom. Right now, he is using a portal potty chair that is next to his bed in the facility, and is having a nurse assist him with wiping when he needs help.
He is doing some physical therapy but gets shortness of breath very quickly.
He wears oxygen (level II) 24 hours per day. He wears a BIPAP mask at night while he's sleeping.
About the care needs: The caregiver should be patient, have a loud/deep speaking voice because my dad has a difficult time hearing soft tones, should be comfortable with bathing my dad and sometimes wiping him when he has a bowel movement (every 3 days). They should be a good listener. They should understand that my dad shares things out of frustration that are misguided/misdirected, and to not take them personally. They should be able to read and interpret medication labels and give them to my dad at the appropriate times. Should be able to make a simple meal, once per day.
Services needed include: meal preparation, errands / shopping, light housekeeping, companionship, feeding, bathing / dressing, and mobility assistance.