Feeling overwhelmed planning for my mom's care after I move out
My dad passed away four years ago, and he was my mom's primary caregiver. My mom has MS, is fully disabled, and needs help with pretty much everything bathing, using the bathroom, getting dressed, transferring, etc.
After my dad died, my sister and I moved in with her and took over all of her care. We've made it work, but now my sister has moved out, and I'm getting married next year. I'm struggling with what comes next.
The thought of a stranger moving into my mom's home to care for her is incredibly hard for me. On top of that, our house really isn't handicap accessible. Right now, the only way she can shower is because my sister and I physically carry her up a flight of stairs.
She's on Medicare, not Medicaid, so we're trying to figure out whether it's even possible to get 24/7 (or close to it) home health care. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What does Medicare actually cover in cases like this?
Do families end up remodeling their homes to make them accessible, like adding a downstairs bathroom or roll-in shower? Or is there a point where staying at home just isn't realistic anymore? How do people navigate this transition? And how do they afford it?
I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through something similar or has advice. This whole situation feels overwhelming, and I just want to make sure my mom is safe and cared for while also being able to start the next chapter of my own life.