f not what are the best options for my situation?: see below.
My husband ,age 67 has metastatic cancer, recently received palliative radiation therapy to the spine and has been placed on immunotherapy which may slow disease progression. We are both aware of the prognosis.I am 63 and have had to cut right back on my work in order to take care of him with subsequent loss of income.I am continuing to attempt to work sufficient hours to maintain my health insurance. I am the sole caretaker with no immediate family nearby. He is no longer driving as he is on chronic pain medication. In addition to medical issues of difficulty walking, fatigue, weight loss, pain control and multiple medications I am beginning to see signs of rapid cognitive decline. I have a home health agency and have had nursing , OT and PT assessments. Recently I took my husband away for a week (needed wheelchair transport and I had to arrange and supervise everything) but agency insisted he be discharged and then re-enrolled. He has Medicare A and B and D with supplemental plans. Recently the homecare agency approved a home health aid who will be starting to come to the house 2 mornings/ week to help with dressing and bathing( which my husband can still do slowly with assistance and reminders and would take me 2-21/2 hours including supervising his medications). Because of his change in mental status I can see that it will soon be very difficult to leave him on his own at home and that I will need more help in the home albeit not necessarily skilled nursing. I am also managing all the finances, care coordination, shopping, meals. I have friends helping out to visit him when I have to work.
So, my questions are
1)Will Medicare cover additional help for him in the home such as a PCA, or companion. I hope to keep him as comfortable as possible at home and envisage ultimately needing hospice care.
He did purchase a long term care policy in his last year of employment. I believe I have to pay for 100 days of care in the home before it activates. If I do start to employ someone to assist him more at home such as meal preparation and companion care how do I find a good agency?
When we do decide on hospice care does Medicare cover and how do we find a hospice care agency that is in line with our religious beliefs ( Traditional Jewish)?
Hospice would be an option but....I think someone has to be there 24/7. Aides will come in and stay for a period of time so you can get errands run but if done at home, someone has to be with the patient at all times.