Once someone starts needing assistance during the day or night it could be time to start looking for some help outside of the home. Today there are dependable options, others have used successfully. Before starting it’s important to remember that as the level of assistance increases or decreases – the overall price of the assistance also is amended.
In my first book, I cover many excellent tips on what to watch for and why, which I can in this short blog post. Ok – often the quickest, easiest, fastest and safest bet is to look for a reliable home healthcare agency located in your area. Some family’s instead start with hiring an “aide or helper” directly to come into the home for a couple hours each day or week – as the case may be. This can work quite well and is less expensive than going through a healthcare agency.
Once you decide to call on someone for help “either in from an agency or a private individual” and would like a cost or help estimate – it really helps to have a basic list of things the patient may need help with – so the depth of assistance may be seen from someone’s else’s view. I have arrived at many new homecare visits expecting to give a simple bed bath or shower, as agreed when suddenly there was comprehensive wound care involved or great difficulty transferring the patient from their room to the bathroom or some other facet that doubled or tripled the amount of time and care needed. If the family had known to voice concerns at the onset – the situation would be been less melodramatic, and better prepared for by everyone involved. .
There is no “one fits all” list or routine as everyone’s health and abilities vary depending on their age, physical and mental abilities. .
Ready for a basic list – ok here we go!!
For instant use, I’ll attach a pdf file of the basic list below which can be printed for reference use when communicating the circumstances with others.
Are they able to get into and out of bed safely?
Can they walk, or do they require help during the day – whenever moving from the bed to the bathroom or living room?
Do they change the bed linens when its time and make the bed themselves?
If they are essentially confined to bed, can they summon help from the bed?
Are they able to toilet themselves and clean themselves afterward?
Do they retain the ability and show interest to groom themselves?
Are they able to keep the bathroom clean and sanitary including the shower, toilet and other hard surfaces?
Can they find their clothes to wear in the morning, dress correctly and when its time, complete laundry tasks?
Do they need kitchen help? Can they plan a menu and cook their own meals. Wash, dry and store dishes and utensils?
Clean the sink, stove, counters, and refrigerator.
Are they able to manage their own medications?
Are they able to do yard work and take out the trash as needed?
How about the condition of the home? Can they sweep, dust, vacuum and mop floors as needed?
Are they able to run errands and go shopping for food and supplies after organizing a list?
Do they have transportation and are they able to maintain it, if it’s a personal vehicle?
Keep all their indoor and outdoor things properly and safely stored?
Able to attend social events and religious gatherings if those seem important to them?
Attend the doctor office and dentist office for medical and dental appointments?
Any grey areas above will need to support sooner or later.
As a side note: studies have proven that the sooner care support is started, the longer the elder can maintain their individual freedom at home and avoid going to a nursing home for personal care and assistance, such as after a fall incident.
If needs are minimal – maybe a homemaker type person is enough.
However, once their own personal care starts declining you will want to have someone with medical health training to assist them. This person can often retrain the elder in personal care skills allowing them more pride and overall happiness.
Again I break all this down thoroughly in Book1.
You’re totally welcome to send me a message anytime for advice or encouragement.
My website has a contact page – send a message there.
Or by email to glennlapoint55@gmail.com