What type of assistance do we need?
Families and friends assume an incredible amount of responsibility when caring for an aging loved one. As you and your family members continue to evaluate the level of care you or your loved one need, consider some of the following activities and whether you or your family member can independently manage these responsibilities. If the answer is no, this can also serve as an indicator of when you or your loved one may need home care. A number of options are available for finding help at home. It is often best to start by assessing your personal needs, or your needs as a caregiver and the needs of the person you are caring for. Consider the following areas:
- Personal Care: Do you or your loved one have trouble bathing, eating, dressing or toileting independently?
- Home care can provide assistance with any of these activities.
- Household Care: Do you or your loved one have trouble grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning or doing laundry independently?
- Home care can help with any of these activities, including transportation.
- Health Care: Are medication management, physician's appointments and physical therapy becoming too much to handle alone?
- Home care can assist you to:
- Make medical appointments and drive to the doctor or pharmacy.
- Meet with doctors, care managers and others to understand what care is needed.
- Manage crises or develop care plans for sick family members.
- Transfer in and out of bed, assist with physical therapy, injections, feeding tubes or other medical procedures and call a designated "on-call" family member for problems.
- Emotional Care: Do you or your loved one miss companionship, meaningful activities and conversation?
- Home care can provide companionship, transportation and comfort for you or your loved one.