Dear Carol: My grandmother lives with us and we have a generally good arrangement. She likes to go places and can, with help. We do our best to keep her happy and occupied, but we also would like to take a short trip, occasionally - alone. We have teenagers, but they really can't take care of her needs. Day care isn't enough. In-home care is OK, but hard to get sporadically. Are there any options? - Michael
Dear Michael: It gets tricky when an elder is basically healthy, but still needs routine attention. If you feel you can't get away at all, you are likely to start feeling resentment toward your situation, and that's not good for you or your grandmother.
Our area has a unique business that could help. Julie and Earl Sorenson of SafeStay Respite Care Services offer the following solution:
"It's wonderful that Michael and his family are sharing their home and lives with his grandmother. They will be able to do so better and longer because they are willing to let others help. It's good that they've explored the options of family help, adult day care and home health care.
"Like many caregivers, they are experiencing a need for respite care for their loved one. Sometimes the help is needed for just a few hours, or a few days, but having a backup plan for emergencies and an occasional break is essential for the well-being of the entire family. It is families like these that we are eager to serve.
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"SafeStay Respite Care Services is like a bed and breakfast for people with special needs. We want caregivers to know us as 'friends of the family' who take joy in caring for their loved one now and then.
"We are licensed by the state of Minnesota to care for individuals of all ages, from anywhere, in our inspected family home. Guests are welcome anytime - for a few hours or overnight, for weekends or weeks at a time, on a scheduled or emergency basis.
"We are trained to assist our clients with personal care such as bathing, dressing, toileting and grooming. We administer medications and provide a warm, intergenerational environment of social interaction and supervision.
"Our home is accessible to individuals with mobility challenges, and we provide guests with a private room, cable television, meals and snacks and special diets if needed. Individuals with a variety of special medical needs or behavioral challenges are welcome.
"While we can make service agreements with agencies, we also serve private-pay clients. The rate is much lower than in-home health care.
"We hope that family caregivers will visit us to see our home. Then, when a need arises, we'll be there to help. Call us at (218) 233-1794 or go to www.valleycares.com ."
Bursack is the author of a support book on
family elder care. To submit questions to "Minding Our Elders" and view past columns, go to
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www.in-forum.com and click on columnists. Readers can reach Bursack at cbursack@forumcomm.com or write her at
The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, ND 58107
