Most Americans wish to stay in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible as they age. Adult children and other loved ones often step in to see that their family member is comfortable and safe at home, even amid illness, cognitive decline or after a surgery or hospitalization.
As health challenges mount, however, many families find themselves at a crossroads to decide the best path forward. While respite care can help family caregivers who are suffering from burnout, at-home care for the aging parent may eventually become so encompassing that more intensive help is needed.
Here are some points to consider when assessing a loved one’s need for round-the-clock care.
- Nutrition. Seniors often experience changes in taste, appetite and digestion, making it more difficult to follow a healthy diet. However, nutrition is important for maintaining strength and getting enough vitamins and minerals for good health.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) prevention. UTIs are common in seniors, particularly women, and can have severe consequences if left untreated.
- Proper hygiene. Maintaining personal hygiene, including bathing, grooming and laundering clothing, is essential for physical and emotional well-being.
These three areas of wellbeing are paramount to a senior’s overall physical health, cognitive function and mental health. Neglecting them can lead to rapid decline and severe complications, ultimately making a profound difference in their overall quality of life.
For many seniors, managing their medications is also a significant part of daily life. Getting a loved one to take prescribed medications consistently can become a challenge for family caregivers.
Questions to Consider for Elder Care
Is your loved one…
- Starting to forget things?
- Not showering regularly or doing laundry as often as usual?
- Sadder and lonelier than usual?
- Experiencing an escalation in health needs?
- Not eating regularly enough or only eating convenience foods?
- Displaying changes in personality and behavior?
- Not keeping a clean or organized home?
Getting proper support for a senior loved one usually starts with an honest assessment of their current living arrangement, physical and mental health, long term goals and needs, and family situation.
When It’s Time for 24-Hour At-Home Care Services
Some families start to notice changes in their loved ones’ abilities. There may be a health setback – such as an illness or surgery – or cognitive changes may become evident.
One common standard for determining a senior’s level of independence is how well they manage Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as hygiene or grooming, getting dressed, toileting and continence, and being able to move without assistance. The Instrumental ADLs include more complex activities such as being able to manage finances and medications, meal preparation, grocery shopping, housekeeping and laundry. Families should seek in-home care help and support for their loved ones if any of these daily tasks becomes burdensome, difficult or impossible to perform.
Poor eating habits, not bathing and having poor hygiene may be signs of dementia. It’s often an indication that it’s time to escalate a care plan when:
- There’s a serious decline in cognitive abilities.
- The senior poses a safety risk to self and others, possibly becomes combative, and is at serious risk of wandering.
- 24-hour monitoring is needed.
Kadan Homecare’s Approach to In-Home Care
The decision to place an elderly loved one in an assisted living facility or skilled nursing home is emotionally difficult. Finding round-the-clock at-home care is a viable alternative to moving the parent to a new environment.
Kadan’s intake process carefully unpacks what’s happening with each individual family. Our care managers specialize in conducting cognitive and functional assessments to understand the individual’s unique needs.
When it’s determined by the family and medical professionals that 24/7 in-home care is needed, Kadan caregivers can meet the following care needs:
- Physical safety and lockdown protection from outside hazards
- Complete assistance with ADLs
- Help with serious continence issues
- 24-hour monitoring
- Companionship and interaction
Kadan Homecare prides itself on creating home care services and solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each family. Through a thorough consultation, we can make a plan that includes several options: live-in care; 24/7 home care in which dedicated caregivers work with the client in the home in shifts; and respite care for live-in family caregivers. We then match our extensively trained caregivers to the specific abilities and challenges of the person for whom we are caring.
If you are looking for an Atlanta, Georgia-based home health agency that thoroughly understands how to provide in-home elder care, companion care and personal care for seniors, including those who are coping with dementia, Kadan Homecare would be honored to work with you. To learn more about Kadan’s award winning in-home care programs, please contact us for a complimentary in-home consultation by calling 770-396-8997 or emailing info@kadan.org.