Re: Re: Caregiver assistance

[Guest guest]

Marie,

I'm not sure if you wrote that to me. There are government guidelines on

assistance in the USA, BUT there are a few standards of care also. When you

talk to your Agency on Aging (AOA) - tell them that Bill is in need on

bathing assistance and that you can no longer handle it yourself. They MUST

tell you what programs are available in your area. Insist that you heard

there was a program for any disabled person to get bathing assistance - it

may be through Public Health, but AOA should help you find the right person -

that is their job!

If they insist there is no program, ask for their name (write it down). Then

call you House of Representatives office (they always have a local office)

and tell them you spoke to that person and they said there was no help for

you. I seriously doubt that you will have to go father than that - but the

newspapers or local TV stations are always looking for refusal of services

stories (we have an advocate program here on the ABC affiliate called Seven

on your Side). Learn to use the system, once you use it and get something,

you will find you can push the right buttons and while you can't get

everything you need, you can usually get some help.

Take care, Bill Werre

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bingermm wrote:

> Dear Ray,

>

> How did you qualify for this assistance? Was it a federal

> or state government program, Council on Aging or Medicare. Medicare

> guidelines say the patient must be homebound. Bill could be

> homebound if I refused to take him out, but I think it is very

> important to get him our into the real world as much as

> possible.

>

> Council on Aging has income guidelines.

>

> Just wondering, as I am very much in need of some help, but hesitate

> to start dipping into our savings until it is absolutely necessary.

>

> Marie

>

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[Guest guest]

Belinda,

No the rule is written so that ANY disabled person can receive the services,

but some low level clerks try to avoid work by saying they can only help

people who are senior citizens. Just ask to speak to a supervisor if they

give you that line - get names and write it down while you are talking to

them - that gets their attention.

Take care, Bill Werre

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belnorest wrote:

> Bill,

> Are these services only for the disabiled over 62 yrs of age or for

> anyone with a disability like MSA?

> Thanks

> Belinda