As more and more seniors choose to age at home, it becomes increasingly important to periodically evaluate how your senior loved one is managing the responsibilities of living at home. Perhaps Mom is struggling to keep up with household chores. Maybe you’ve noticed Dad is eating too much unhealthy food. Once you know if home care is needed, you can better appreciate how a caregiver can assist your senior loved one in ensuring that he or she can safely and comfortably remain at home.
Learn how to know if home care is needed for your loved one, by assessing these five key areas from Compassionate Care Home Health Services, the experts in senior services in Saginaw, MI and surrounding communities:
Ability to use a phone: Can your senior loved one operate a telephone, including looking up numbers and dialing well-known numbers? If your loved one can only answer the phone or is unable to use a phone at all, this is an area where help is most definitely needed. The ability to use a phone is an important skill for seniors so that in the event of an emergency, they can contact emergency personnel or close family members.
Shopping: Is mobility a struggle for your senior loved one? While some older adults may still be able to shop independently, others can benefit from having a caregiver accompany them to the store, or even having their shopping taken care of by a caregiver.
Preparing meals: Adequate nutrition is vital for seniors. If you find that your senior loved one is not adhering to good nutritional habits, he or she may benefit from meal preparation assistance.
Housework: Housekeeping can be overwhelming for some elderly adults. If your senior loved one finds it challenging to keep up with housework, a caregiver can help with basic housekeeping, laundry and other daily chores.
Medications: If your senior loved one is prescribed medications, it can be difficult to remember and adhere to the prescribed dosage and schedule. A certain amount of memory loss is common for older adults, and having a caregiver on hand to provide medication reminders can be extremely helpful. For those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, medication reminders are essential.
While assessing these skills can help you know if home care is needed, keep in mind that care needs can change over time. While your senior loved one may only need a few hours of help each week now, health conditions and general aging might necessitate an increase in the level of senior care needed. At Compassionate Care Home Health Services, we can provide companionship, help with meal preparation, bathing and dressing, transportation, medication reminders, and more.
The senior living experts at Compassionate Care develop a customized care plan designed to meet the needs of your senior loved one, from a few hours of assistance each week to around-the-clock care, or anything in between. We provide a comprehensive range of senior services in Saginaw, MI and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 877.308.1212 or contact us online for a complimentary in-home consultation to determine the level of care that can help your loved one remain safe and independent at home.