How much thought have you put into your dad’s senior care needs? Most families have thought about it, but they don’t know where to start. It takes time to find the right services.
Before you try to navigate the world of home care, read these tips…
Thoroughly Research Activities of Daily Living
There are two types of activities of daily living. Activities of daily living are the activities your parent has to do each day to survive. Instrumental activities of daily living are meant more for comfort than survival.
Activities of daily living include things like feeding oneself, using a toilet and cleaning up after, dressing appropriately, showering, and moving around independently. Instrumental activities of daily living include things like managing household finances, cooking meals, driving a car, creating a shopping list and going shopping, housework, scheduling appointments, keeping appointments, and taking medications on time.
Go over everything on both of these lists with your dad. If there are things he says he struggles with, those are the home care services to start with. He may find that others make him feel more independent, and they can be added when they appear.
Hold a Family Discussion
Once there is a list of things your dad admits he needs help completing each day or week, hold a family meeting. Depending on locations and work schedules, some family members may be able to help out a few hours a week or each month.
Your dad gains social opportunities as several people come to his home to help him around the house. It also helps limit the number of hours a professional caregiver is needed, which saves him money. Plus, there may be tasks he doesn’t want a caregiver helping with our vice versa.
Plan for the Unexpected
Once home care services are arranged, don’t be surprised if his needs change. A sudden illness like the flu could impact his abilities. He’ll need more help for a few weeks. If he falls and breaks a bone, you’ll want to have extra help available and go back through his house or yard to figure out if there was a way to prevent that fall.
Stay Involved
Once professional caregivers are helping your dad, stay involved in his care. Talk to the home care agency to see how things are going and if the caregivers have any concerns or suggestions. Talk to your dad to see how he’s enjoying having caregivers.
Build your list of must-haves. Once that’s done, call a home care agency. You’ll soon be set up with the right services and caregivers to ensure your dad is happy and safe while he ages at home.
