- How did those you're caring for weather their most recent illness (for example, a flu or bad cold)? Are they able and willing to seek medical care when needed, or did last winter's cold develop into untreated bronchitis?
- What does the doctor think? With appropriate permission, talk to their doctor. The doctor may share your concerns about their safety at home but may also be able to alleviate them. Sometimes your closeness to the issue can exaggerate your worries, and a little professional distance (and expertise) is just what's needed to clarify the picture.
- How often do they get out -- especially in the winter? Are they spending days without leaving the house because they can no longer drive or are afraid to take the bus alone? While many older adults fear being "locked away" in a retirement home, many such facilities offer regular outings that may actually keep them more mobile and active, not less.
- How are they doing compared with this time last year? The holidays, when families get together after long periods apart, can be a good time to reflect on the previous year and take note of any significant changes. A marked decline from one year to the next may mean it's time to start looking -- and planning -- for a more supportive environment.
- How are you doing? While this decision is not primarily about you -- the caregiver -- your own exhaustion can be a good gauge of a decline in older adults' ability to care for themselves. If their need for care is just plain wearing you out, that may be a sign that it's time to start looking at other options.
- How old are they? Many continuing care facilities have age ceilings after which they won't admit older adults, no matter how healthy they are, so if you have your eye on a particular place, find out what its age cutoff is and plan accordingly.
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Entire article-Thanks
It is the first time I see your site. I am from Quebec, Canada and I am french. Your site is very helpfull for me and my mother who is Alzheimer.
I would like to add that often times adult children make the assumption that once their parent(s) need(s) assistance, because they are no longer safe at home alone, that they must move to an alternative living environment. In Minnesota, Class-A licensed home care agencies can provide a one-to-one level of care that is a nursing home-level of care in a person's own home. The cost is quite similar to the cost of a nursing home or assisted living, and sometimes it is less! The caregivers have the same training as those in care facilities and they are well-screened. Since the caregivers work with the same client (1:1 client to caregiver ratio), very personalized assistance is always available for the client and the client and caregiver get to know one another to build a lasting relationship. Many people find great value in the ability to continue living at home and have personalized attention from a caregiver that they get to know and trust. Additionally, clients of Class-A home care in Minnesota have an R.N. to oversee all of the care that is being provide, make frequent home visits for consultation, do med-set ups and skilled nursing assessments, and coordinate whatever additional services that make staying home and living life in the community possible. If your parents are aging and showing signs of needing assistance, I encourage people not to assume that they have to move. Consider home care. Consider giving them what they want - life at home - and you want you want - peace of mind. Michelle, Community Relations Director of Homewatch Home Care in Minnesota