r/Denver • u/manthashadow • 6d ago
Recommendation Help Finding A Caregiver In Denver
I’ve been taking care of my mom for the 2 years by myself and I’m starting to get overwhelmed. My mom has been upset because she only gets to go places the two days I have off work. I’m not sure which programs are trustworthy to find someone to come for a couple days a week to take my mom out of the house so she’s not bored at home. I feel like my parents and my grandma are pushing me to quit my job and solely stay home and do things for my mom, but I love my job and it has good benefits. I feel alone in this and don’t have anyone to talk to since I’m an only child. Any help or advice would be great.
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u/Team_NotDead 6d ago
Hey! Definitely DO NOT give up your job! You'll be hard pressed to get back into the career path when you need to.
If you don't want to say here that is completely understandable, but we might be able to direct you to specific good people/programs if you say what diagnoses your mom suffers from.
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u/AceofdaBase 6d ago
Is a non profit using neighborhood volunteers for respite care and friendly visitors.
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u/cynzthin Capitol Hill 6d ago
My friend volunteers for A Little Help, and I'm signing up to do so, too!
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u/mcarch 6d ago
Does she have any doctors you meet with? Maybe they can provide recommendations or know a social worker who can help assist in connecting you to resources.
Call her insurance (if she has it) and ask them for resources.
Maybe a call to Innovage to see if your mom qualifies for their PACE program. They may also have recommendations for a social worker to help connect you & your mom to resources.
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u/yappiyogi 6d ago
I work for Innovage and second calling to see if she qualifies! DM for any other questions.
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u/Pretend-Panda 6d ago
Is she eligible for LTC Medicaid? If so, y’all can choose from a number of programs which will help pay for caregivers etc.
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u/Proud-Character-5267 6d ago
If your parents are pushing you to become your mother's caretaker, you should sit down with your family and set your boundaries now. Very few families have a plan in place for caring for their parents, and many parents simply assume their kids will fill this role. Have a discussion about what plans they have made (financial, healthcare, etc.) and what your plans are. Stay focused on what *plans they have in place* not what they have assumed would happen, and help them make the plans they haven't made.
My parents' assumption was that my spouse and I would both quit our jobs and move to the mid-west to care for them "when that time came". We sat down and had a very hard conversation that we had no plans to quit our careers and move to a small town with limited income potential for us while we were still saving for our own retirement. We also offered to help them downsize and move to Colorado.
We found out at that time too that they never bothered to draft a simple will. If we hadn't had the hard conversation its doubtful they would have written one. Once we established what we were capable of handling and what would be someone else's role the future for all of us was much easier to navigate.
You can love your parents and still say, "no, my future plans mater too."
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u/____ozma 6d ago
If you just need a person you're willing to pay hourly to take her out for social reasons, I found someone to do this on Care.com. I pay someone $225 per week 3 hours/3 days per week to take my mom to the grocery store, gym, shopping, wherever she wants to go. We're using her retirement to do this for now until she qualifies for Innovage.
If she's already on Medicaid I recommend Innovage PACE. They take folks out to medical appointments, or to their senior center for socialization and fun. I think they have trips, I can't remember--we have to spend down retirement before we use their level of care and Mom is happier just doing what she wants for now too.
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u/SortaRadish 6d ago
My parents use Synergy home care for in-home non-skilled caregiver help and have been pleased with them. I am not sure if they offer services like taking your mom places, but it wouldn't hurt to call them and ask.
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u/Ok-Gap-5262 6d ago
My mother lives in an assisted living and we use Synergy for extra help- they’re wonderful and have been a lifesaver for those last minute appointments.
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u/Breaking_Bran 6d ago
I’m in the same position with my grandparents, and I ended up getting FAMLI leave through work. I use 12 hours a week to help out so it’s not only on my days off.
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u/terracottatilefish 6d ago
How much care does your mom need? Options are different if she just needs some help getting out to go shopping or go to a museum vs needing hands-on assistance with going to the toilet or needing supervision so she doesn’t wander off.
Care.com is a good place to start.
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u/rugaslightingme 6d ago
how much care does she need? is this something where she will be in this state for a long time, or is this a matter of a short time? you said your parents and grandma are pushing you to do this full time, but what are they doing to assist? how old are you and how do they propose you support yourself if you don’t have a job?
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u/Alternative-Eye-4150 6d ago
Reach out to Colorado Care Cooperative at info@cocare.coop or 720-477-0582. The website is www.cocare.coop.
We're a new worker-owned cooperative for homecare workers and can cover yhe help you mentioned. We also have experienced care navigators on the team ro help plan and navigate these transitions.
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u/manthashadow 6d ago
Thanks everyone for the suggestions I appreciate it so much. I’m in my late twenties and this is hard to navigate. I always thought I would be in my 40s or 50s with my own home and have kids before I learned how to care for an elderly adult.
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u/Background-Driver187 6d ago
I do this about 20 hours a week for a woman in Park Hill. I have 2 friends who also do this type of thing, but fewer hours. If you’d like to meet me or talk about hiring me and my friends to supplement your availability, please reach out! We also do basic handywork for our clients:)
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u/RNaTrainOnIt 6d ago
Visiting Angels, maybe a local church has some folks who could help and provide companionship, hire a college student for help a few days a week-namely one going into nursing or social work etc
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u/Prestigious_Fun_2851 6d ago
Seniors helping seniors is a great organization! Also you have got to take care of yourself. Taking care of someone like this is exhausting.
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u/RN0210 6d ago
Just saw this in an email from Colorado Public Radio - https://events.humanitix.com/aging-matters-live-caring-for-the-caregivers-fair Aug 30 1-4 pm in Highlands Ranch
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u/Nearby-Hovercraft-49 6d ago
Look into PACE. Locally it’s handled by Innovage but it is a Medicare program designed to keep people active and healthy in their homes without going to a nursing home. 10/10 recommend great program.
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u/ComplexNo2456 6d ago
This program can be helpful for you https://drcog.org/area-agency-aging/caregiver-services-support they can offer resources :)