Home health aide in the Chicago north suburbs

November 27, 2024 9:54 AM

My dad is not doing so hot; my grandmother, on the other hand, is celebrating her 103rd birthday in a couple weeks. My mom and sister want to visit grandma, but someone needs to be at home with my dad. Who to call?

My dad is not in terrible shape - he can shower, toilet, and feed himself, get up and down the stairs, etc. His memory isn't as good as it once was but it's not interfering with his daily life. But he's shaky and not very strong, and is a fall risk. We need someone to stay with him for about three days, just to be available in case he needs something or has an accident (so skilled nursing isn't necessary.) My mom's having a hell of a time finding someone. Does anyone have a specific recommendation for an individual or agency that covers the Chicago north suburbs? (Highland Park specifically.)

posted by restless_nomad to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

You might consider contacting the city's Family & Support Services to see if you qualify.

Their website says, "Respite services provide professionally trained staff to care for a frail senior, who has a familial caregiver, on a temporary basis. Respite can be used in an emergency, such as the illness of a caregiver or for planned time away, such as a vacation, special event, appointment or personal time. Respite care can be provided in home. Are you worried about leaving your family member alone, but need a small break? We are here to help! The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Respite program may be able to provide you with assistance. The Respite program provides both in-home and facility-based care. For further information or to make a service request, please call [phone] or email [e-mail]"

Here is their website
posted by SageTrail at 11:15 AM on November 27

Are you near a college that has gerontology/aging studies major? This might be an ideal brief stint for a local student. Some of them may even have an internship under their belts. Our campus has a place to post this online, and platforms have names like Handshake and Gold ring. People in the neighborhood post positions for child care and personal care assistants, so the one we use is flexible that way.
posted by childofTethys at 11:14 AM on November 28

If neither of the above two work out, you might consider calling Home Instead. I haven't used them in Chicago, but after a friend recommended them from his New Orleans experience we tried them in Maryland and they have always been very good.
posted by metonym at 9:17 AM on December 1