Across the country, the number of informal caregivers continues to increase. As diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure become prevalent, an older adult’s need for help each day becomes apparent. How do you know when it’s time to consider home care assistance aides?
- Bills are paid late.
- Dietary needs aren’t being met.
- Doctors say it’s time to take away the car keys.
- Falls are leading to serious injuries.
- Health issues are increasing.
- Personal care is being ignored.
- Prescriptions aren’t being taken correctly.
- Rooms are dirty or cluttered.
Your dad is getting older and starting to slow down. He has a harder time climbing the stairs or getting out of bed without help. How do you know what home care assistance services are most important as he ages?
Print a Checklist of ADLs and IADLs
Activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are things your dad should be able to do when it comes to self-care and household management. When he starts to struggle with these tasks, it impacts his independence.
Go through a checklist and note the things he cannot do on his own. These are the areas where home care assistance is necessary.
How Isolated Is Your Dad?
Does your dad live in a neighborhood or is he in a rural area on his own? Does he still drive, or is he stuck at home until someone is available to drive him? Isolation and loneliness impact his mental and physical health, so companionship services are essential.
Ask Friends and Family What They See
When friends and family visit your dad, what do they notice? Is the home a mess until they help him clean up and put items away? Does his laundry stack up and force him to wear the same clothing items for days or weeks?
How often is he calling them to help him with chores and errands? If he’s making daily requests, it’s time to consider hiring a caregiver to help him with housework, laundry, meals, and transportation.
Talk to Your Dad
Don’t ignore your dad’s wishes. He may have areas where he feels he could use more help than he gets. He might want to go to the local park for a walk each day, but he dreads asking others to set time aside to take him. He may need help with showers and personal care, but he’s embarrassed to ask his adult children to help him.
Go over the services available with local home care agencies, and see what your dad thinks. Let him pick and choose some of the services that he feels help him maintain his independence.
Once you have a list of the services you know will be beneficial, call a home care assistance advisor. Go over that list, ask questions, and discuss prices. You’ll have the information you need to schedule caregiver services.