Discovering that a loved one has a life-altering disease like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is devastating. It’s a condition that causes nerve degeneration, which impacts their nerve and muscle function, making it difficult for them to complete everyday tasks as it progresses. Although you want to do what’s best, nursing homes in a metropolitan area like New York City can be expensive. Fortunately, there are other options.
Become A Caregiver
One of the first considerations is becoming a caregiver. You would move your loved ones into your home and provide for all of their basic and medical needs. It’s often more affordable than nursing home rates and also allows your relatives to remain close. However, being a caregiver is a significant undertaking.
As an ALS patient needs round-the-clock care in various areas, you’ll have to dedicate a lot of your time, energy, money, and resources to ensure their needs are met. Many caregivers find it challenging to balance the needs of their loved ones with their everyday responsibilities. Therefore, you’ll want to ensure this is something you can handle.
Enlist Help From Family
You can lighten your load as a caregiver by asking family members to help. They can offer to prepare meals, clean, provide transportation, manage finances, or take shifts helping with common tasks like getting dressed, taking medication, moving around, bathing, and eating.
Government And Community Programs
One of the great things about living in NYC is that they have multiple resources to make life easier for its residents. Some of those resources include financial assistance, transportation services, affordable healthcare, and meal distribution for families with aging, disabled, or seriously ill loved ones. Many of these services are free or cheap and can help ensure you can care for your family member with ALS.
Home Health Care Services
ALS homecare is a professional service that helps families in NYC get the assistance they need. They’re highly trained experts that can help manage ALS symptoms and assist with day-to-day tasks at home. Whether your loved one is living at home or you’ve moved them into your house, you can hire a home care assistant to make things easier for everyone.
Your family member will receive one-on-one attention with everything from medication administration to meal preparation. It allows your loved ones to remain in a familiar environment while getting the care they need as moving to a nursing home can be emotionally challenging.
Caregivers appreciate home care assistance because it eases their stress and allows them to enjoy their loved ones instead of feeling as if they’re a burden. It frees up your schedule ensuring you can keep up with other obligations like work, caring for your kids, or simply doing things you enjoy.
You can work with the agency to develop a plan that meets your needs and budget. Whether you need someone for a few hours a day, during the midnight hours, or 24/7, there are options to accommodate you and your family.
Making An Informed Decision
Deciding what to do when someone you care about has been diagnosed with ALS isn’t an overnight process. There are a lot of factors to consider to ensure their needs are met. If you’re going to make the best decision, you’ll need to take time and weigh the pros and cons of each option. You’ll also need to consider the costs, convenience, and emotional impact of your choices. Finally, consult with loved ones to ensure you’re on the same page.
Caring for someone with ALS is a huge undertaking. As private nursing homes come with financial, health, and safety concerns, you may need to consider options to care for them yourself. Fortunately, you have plenty of resources to make your job as a caregiver easier including other family members, government assistance, and home care services. Use the information above to make the most practical decision for you and your loved ones.
0 Comments