If you or a loved one has made the decision to age in place and receive in-home care, the next step is to assess the level of care that you will require. There is a classic assessment test called the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, developed to help professional caregivers assess the level of assistance needed in the home. However, the following is a list of some of the main daily activities that anyone can use to help determine theirs or their loved one’s in-home care needs.
- 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 a strong indication that some level of in-home assistance is needed.
- Shopping: Depending on mobility, some seniors may be able to shop for themselves, while others may need someone to accompany them to the store or to have their shopping done by a home caregiver. This, along with meal preparation, is one of the primary services we at AAging Better In-Home Care offer our clients.
- Food preparation: Proper nutrition is important for aging seniors, and you may find that your loved ones are not maintaining an adequate diet from the meals they prepare for themselves. If this is the case, they may need assistance with meal and snack preparation.
- Housekeeping: Daily household chores can be daunting for most frail seniors. This is an area where many home-care clients require assistance to help maintain the proper upkeep and safety of their homes. Again, this is one of the primary services we offer.
- Medication responsibilities: A certain amount of memory loss is common with aging, so many seniors feel the need to have medication reminders. This is one of the most frequent services we offer to clients in their homes or those already in Assisted Living Facilities. For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, this assistance is particularly important.
Seniors will likely find that, as they age, their need for assistance in many areas of daily living will increase. Contact Aaging Better In-Home Care for further details about how we can help assess your in-home care needs and to discuss the many different options for care. Contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.
