The washer runs more often once someone is home all day, and it runs at hours nobody planned. Bedding changes, towels, the parent's clothing and the family's own clothes all arrive together. The pile does not wait for a free afternoon, so the decision about who handles it has to be made before the basket overflows.
Local option: New Plan Care gives families in the St. Louis area in-home help so a parent can stay home: companionship, help with bathing and dressing, meals, and overnight care. Call (314) 405-0887.
Count the loads for one full week
Write down every load for seven days: bed linens, towels, the parent's clothing, pads and covers, and the household's clothes. Keep the count by category, not by guess. At the end of the week you will know how many loads a normal week produces, and that number is the figure you plan around. Most families are surprised by how much of the total is bedding.
Decide what stays with the family
Washing, drying, folding and putting away usually stay with the family, along with the decision about when a sheet or cover needs replacing. Decide who changes the bed and at what hour, especially at night. Write the answer where everyone can see it, because a change that is not assigned tends to wait until the sheets are soaked through.
Ask what a hired helper will handle
A hired non-medical caregiver may be able to help with some laundry as part of household tasks, but the agency's agreement decides what is included. Ask in writing whether ordinary clothes are included, whether bedding is included, and whether soiled linens are included. Ask what the agency says about handling them, and what supplies the family must provide. Do not assume the answer from one conversation.
Compare a laundry service on the terms
A pickup and delivery service, or a linen rental, takes a different share of the work. Compare the minimum order, pickup days, turnaround time, and whether the price is per bag, per pound or per item. Ask whether the weight is counted before or after washing, and whether there are charges for extra bags or special handling. Use the weekly count from your tally to check whether the minimum fits your house.
Set up the house for the work
Keep two sets of sheets in rotation so one load is always ready. Check whether the washer and dryer can keep pace with the weekly count, and whether there is space to hang or lay out items to dry. Decide who carries the basket up and down the stairs, and whether the route is clear. These are small details, and they decide whether the work gets done.
The Local Help for Hospice Families page on this site is a starting point for finding services that work in west St. Louis County. Ask each one the questions above before you agree to anything.