Michie888
New member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
- Messages
- 2
- Reason
- CALS
- Diagnosis
- 07/2020
- Country
- US
- State
- CA
- City
- Visalia
Hi all, my name is Michelle and I recently started working during this pandemic as a caregiver (I just graduated from college but couldn't get a job in my intended field because of the lock downs).
My main client was diagnosed with ALS in July, and I am in the process of moving in with her for more 24 hour care. I wasn't planning on staying in this city except to wait out COVID, but I've grown quite fond of this client and I can't leave her. She doesn't have any family willing to help her.
She is still able to speak and eat well, but can no longer stand or move her fingers/toes. She transfers from hospital bed to power chair with a Hoyer, and we just got a sliding bench for the shower. We are trying to get her body on a schedule so I can lift her onto the commode at certain times of the day (before or after my other client's).
She is able to urinate into a pad and then drop said pad into a bucket, but bowel movements are very traumatic for her. She is very embarrassed and frustrated. She is also having sensitivity issues on her bottom from times when I wasn't available and she had a bowel movement in her chair and had to sit in it until I could get to her. It is painful for her when I clean her.
Do you have any advice for someone in my situation? I'm currently working from 7am-9pm, 7 days a week. I'm not sure I can maintain this for very long. It feels like I'm running as fast as I can just to say in the same place.
My main client was diagnosed with ALS in July, and I am in the process of moving in with her for more 24 hour care. I wasn't planning on staying in this city except to wait out COVID, but I've grown quite fond of this client and I can't leave her. She doesn't have any family willing to help her.
She is still able to speak and eat well, but can no longer stand or move her fingers/toes. She transfers from hospital bed to power chair with a Hoyer, and we just got a sliding bench for the shower. We are trying to get her body on a schedule so I can lift her onto the commode at certain times of the day (before or after my other client's).
She is able to urinate into a pad and then drop said pad into a bucket, but bowel movements are very traumatic for her. She is very embarrassed and frustrated. She is also having sensitivity issues on her bottom from times when I wasn't available and she had a bowel movement in her chair and had to sit in it until I could get to her. It is painful for her when I clean her.
Do you have any advice for someone in my situation? I'm currently working from 7am-9pm, 7 days a week. I'm not sure I can maintain this for very long. It feels like I'm running as fast as I can just to say in the same place.