The Lord led us to create AbideWithMe.us as we watched a family friend struggle to find a live-in caregiver following his wife’s stroke. Unable to find assistance, and with the cost of using a home health agency prohibitive, he had to place his wife in a nursing home. About this same time, several of our kids were struggling to get through college without a mountain of debt. The idea began to grow that these two groups of people could help each other.

 

Having worked in the field of occupational therapy since 1999 in Stark and Tuscarawas Counties, with seven of those years in a nursing home in Bolivar, I’ve observed that many residents entering long term care facilities do not actually need skilled nursing care; rather, they need someone present in the home to assist with bathing and dressing, supervise medications, or provide companionship. However, families today are often scattered across several states, with no one available to live with mom or dad as the need arises.

 

Many older folks have a “paid-for” house, but inadequate amounts of cash on hand to finance hiring caregivers from an agency. Many younger folks don’t have the security of owning a home, but do have the strength, health, energy and desire to help someone else. The goal of AbideWithMe.us is to provide a forum for these two groups of people to find each other for mutually beneficial relationships.

 

Home health care with a live-in caregiver can provide the personal care and personal touch your elderly or disabled loved one needs. Adult home care, whether long term or respite, can be an appropriate alternative to nursing home care.