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My wife has Dystonia which is similar to parkinsons, and she is concerned about someone checking on her if I have to go to the hospital for a few days. She doesn't drive and we don't have any friends or relatives that can help us. It would only take 5 or 10 minutes of someone's time to come to the door and ask if she's ok. She is on a liquid diet & can take care of herself but is kinda weak. She sometimes has seizures but they only last a few seconds. I broke my wrist and the doctor said I might have to have surgery. We are both senior citizens and long time residents of Orange Co.

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This would be a good place to start. seniorresourcealliance

Also try searching this site for many options for elder care.
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Thanks, when is your surgery?
Did you find any of the suggestions/ideas useful?

M88
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I am looking for ideas or replies that would apply to central Fla., close to Orlando.
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thomasb2
Location: Apopka, FL
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Do you live in Orange County California? There's an Orange County in New York, too. I used to live there. Sorry I don't have a resource for you. If you belong to a church, they may have someone who can help out.
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you can also try for someone but you need to pay for the Ad and for them to come. Call the non emergency police number in town and ask them. Good Luck!
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Area Agency On Aging  
Address: 988 Woodcock Rd # 200, Orlando, FL 32803
Phone:(407) 228-1800
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Hello Sir,
I wish you a successful surgery and quick recovery.
Good thing you live in a metropolitan area.
There have to be dozens of Agencies with many options.
They are the most qualified to do what you need to be caring for your dear
wife, while you take care of you!
Google "Home Health Care" in Orange County.
Call the surgery center or hospital where you are going to have the surgery. They have been thru similar situations before and know what would be best.
Remember, when they discharge you, and you get home, you're going to be very groggy, and YOU will need help with things for about a day, or half a day.
Also, the surgery center will not let you go home without someone who will drive you home. (A cab will be allowed).

It may be a good idea to have the person that the agency sends look after the 2 of you for the first few days, while you get used to the sling, and manage your own pain control.

Please do respond to your question here. We honestly care!
Respectfully,

M88 in RURAL California, where we have nothing! :^(
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P.S. It really takes more than 5-10 minutes to check on someone.
First you have to drive over, and CA traffic is a nightmare. Then get into the apartment building and to the person's home.
Count on at least one hour each time she is checked on, and that could be phone calls if she is able to answer the phone. If she doesn't answer then there should be a safety plan in place ( calling 911)
Check with Catholic Charities in your area, they charge on a sliding fee scale and you don't have to be Catholic to use the services.
Have you developed a long term plan in case something happens to you? What if you have a stroke or heart attack, or even die before her?
To keep her safe you need to make a long term plan in case of emergency.
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She MUST have a Medic Alert before you leave her,
Contact your local Senior Center Social Worker or Area Agency on Aging for ideas and information on paid agencies who would stop and check on her. You could arrange transportation for her to spend the day time with you at the hospital and just go home at night.
It wouldn't be safe to tempt fate and leave her for several days without a good system in place. The last thing you want on your mind is for her to have fallen and laid on the floor for hours or even days while you were gone.
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Hi - I agree with these! Which civic organizations are in your area, e.g., Knights of Columbus (other names escape me currently)? I would look them up, call the various ones and join one. In the scheme of things, it would be great for you both to find some peers and outings you could go to periodically. And my guess is they have community support services.
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GA, great ideas! Definitely get a medic alert it would be useful at other times too. Is your possible surgery going to be inpatient. It sounds like something that would be outpatient surgery. Call home care agencies and have someone spend some time with her and to help her with anything she may need. They usually have a three hour minimum but it would be money well spent to ensure your wife's safety. Think about how terribly guilty you would feel if so!ething happened to her in between visit times. Find an agency to be with her 24/7 while youare getting the surgery.

Do you have a church you could call?
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Given the weakness and seizures, I'm wondering if it would be more appropriate, AND SAFER, for her to spend a few days in a respite center with staff support.

Or you might want to contact Orange County Health Department and see what they suggest. My county has some people who provide respite, but I don't know the circumstances.

You could also arrange for the neighbors to check in on her periodically.

Does she have a medic alert pendant?
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