sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

My 91 year old Uncle, never married, was recently in the hospital and then a rehab facility. A total of 6 weeks. His medicare and Postal Letter Carriers insurance paid for everything.

Then they discharged him to a rehab facility here in Fort Myers, FL. At the rehab, I would say 85 to 90% of the CNAs and Health Care workers are from Central America or Jamaca. Very rough English and no compassion for the patients.

Now my Uncle is recuperating at home and the health agency I pay to come in and watch him (Fall risk) from 10pm to 4am and then 6:30am to 10:30am. So far, only one I could call caucasian and English speaking. Uncles care is costing $1,260 a week with an average of 10-12 hours a day. The remaining hours I personally change diapers and wash him to save him some of his saved money. I estimate his continued care will cost approximately $74,000 a year to make him comfortable. He doesn't always understand the helpers nor they him.

I'll do it as long as it takes because he is the last of my Mothers Family and I've been assisting him for the past 9 years now. He's worth it.

Sarge69

wiwita

That`s very nice from you. Can`t you have a private health care worker at home?

nairiam Loc: Bonnie Scotland

I feel very sad for your uncle and yourself. It is a disgrace how honest, hard working people are expected to contribute to the system during their working days and are then milked in old age. I have nothing but the highest regard for the stance you have taken. I wish you both well.
(The UK is the same way)

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Your uncle is blessed to have a nephew like you.

steve40 Loc: Asheville/Canton, NC, USA

When I applied for my SS, they wanted $200 a month from it for Medicare. I ask if I could decline, and was allowed to. I have the part A which pays for a hospital room, but not part B.
I don't like doctors anyway, and I don't expect to see one until I am dead, and probably not then. :)

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

This is private health helpers. $18.00 an hour and they cannot handle medications, just assistance and bathing. I do all his medication and when the helpers aren't there, I pick up the slack. I have one come in at 10pm to 4am and then I take up the slack until the 6:30 to 10:30am person comes in. Then from 10:30 until 10pm I do it all.

Sarge69

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

I take my hat off to you Sarge...well done.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Sarge, your great.
An enlightening article was just published in the NY times about taking care of elders and problems with the 'system' of care providers.
Sure opened my eyes.
www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/nyregion/family-fights-health-care...

ole sarg Loc: south florida

You are a good man Sarge69.

To think if he outlives his money the government will pick up the tab but he has to be broke before they do it.

Something is wrong with this picture. Of course it could change if we had folks in power who would be willing to raise taxes to cover this kind of expense.

magicray Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Been there, done that twice Sarge so I know first hand the sacrifices you are making. Also the obstacles and stress you face when dealing with the medical/insurance industrial complex is overwhelming. You run on automatic pilot and adrenalin. Even though I don't believe in saints you fill the definition. Helping others in need is the most honorable and worthwhile gift a human can make during their life. You deserve admiration and respect for your generosity and compassion.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Sarge
Do you have "Power of Attorney" for your Uncle; i.e. ability to sign checks for him? Strongly suggest you identify all his cash assets, transfer all to an account (may also need to sell his house or condo and do the same with the funds) in your name and 2 yrs.from now, if your uncle is still living, he (with you doing all the paperwork) can apply for Medicaid to pay for that which his insurance does not pay. You will still be using his money to pay for his care, you will even use his money for the several incidentals not covered by insurance or Medicaid. Prior to my mother's death from Alzheimer's, I was able to salvage a substantial amount and let the system, to which she had contributed for 30 years, pick up the expense for three of her last 5 years.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Thank you for the kind thoughts magicray. :shock:

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I have, along with his trust, Durable Powers of Attorney for General Matters, All Finances and Health. Only thing is that all his goodies are in his trust and he is the trustor AND he made himself the Tustee also. THen he made his bank accounts in the name of the Trust. So, due to his diligence in protecting his assets, he also locked me out of them until his death and then the trust puts me in as the controller of the trust. I'm trying to have him make a second amendment to the trust making me a trustee. He doesn't seem to understand how his wording of the trust puts me really out of any control. I can't even write a check on his account because it's in the trust name and he is the trustor and trustee on it. Aaaargh

Sarge69

phcaan Loc: Willow Springs, MO

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

I spent 7 months in a nursing home part of 2013 and 2014.
Most of the cna's and nurses were white anglo saxon protestant. Wasp. we had a few who were from mexico. But the county I live in has almost zero blacks. There use to be a sign on the hi-ways that said "Nigger don't let the sun set on your ass". Most all the blacks live in Birmingham. I don't miss those old days as I think everyone should be treated with respect.
ronny