It’s difficult for many people to admit the need for help. Our independence is sacred, and no one wants to feel as though they have to let go of it. However, as we age, limitations naturally arise that lead to a need for assistance. If you have an aging loved one who may benefit from in-home care, you can assess his or her functioning level as it relates to Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) to help determine the level of care assistance he or she may need. For example:
- The ability to use a telephone: This is an important function for seniors in the event of an emergency. If the senior can operate a phone, look up phone numbers, and dial a few well-known numbers, he or she may not need assistance in this area. However, if the senior can only answer the phone, but not dial, or cannot use a phone at all, this is an area where assistance is needed, as he or she wouldn’t be able to alert someone in the event of a fall, fire in the home, or other emergency.
- Shopping: Depending on mobility, some seniors may be able to shop for themselves, while others may need assistance in the store or may need transportation to and from the store on a regular basis.
- Food preparation: Proper nutrition is important for aging seniors, and you may find that your loved one is not maintaining an adequate diet from the meals he or she prepares. Your loved one may not feel comfortable using the stove or may be burning food in pots and pans. If this is the case, he or she may need assistance with food preparation.
- Housekeeping: Daily household chores can be daunting for frail seniors. If you notice excessive clutter in the senior’s home, dirty dishes piled up in the sink, laundry that isn’t getting done, etc. it may be time to get some help from a professional home care agency, like Independence-4-Seniors Home Care.
- Medication responsibilities: Maintaining proper medication compliance is vital for a senior’s health, but natural memory loss due to age, or Alzheimer’s and dementia can cause seniors to miss doses. If your loved one can not remember when to take medication, an in-home caregiver can help with daily medication reminders.
Recognizing a person’s limitations is the first step in developing a care plan to provide the appropriate type and level of assistance. Determining the type of ADL and IADL care that is needed also enables a clear idea of whether or not staying at home with care is an option. If you have a loved one in need of dedicated, compassionate in-home care and would like further assistance in determining appropriate care needs, or for a comprehensive geriatric care assessment by a professional, contact the Chicago home care experts at Independence-4-Seniors Home Care.