How can I find someone to come and regularly assess my dad to determine if he needs additional care?
I care for my 97-year-old dad at my home. I would like to have someone come by regularly (maybe every two weeks) to see how things are going, notice changes, help me figure out how to tackle the latest challenge, help Dad with personal cleanliness. Do people provide this 'consulting' type of support? How do I find them?
Expert Answer
Absolutely. It sounds like you're describing a geriatric care manager, who acts as a kind of chief elder care organizer, helping connect the dots for their clients. You can find them on-line or in an old-fashioned paper telephone book. The Eldercare Locator is also a great source for finding geriatric care managers. You can also get referrals from local senior centers or your dad's medical staff.
A care manager may be a higher level of service than you need. You may need a home caregiver (versus manager), who can be hired through an agency or independently. The Eldercare Locator can also help you find home caregivers, as can geriatric care managers.
It sounds like you're making a wise move to get occasional help, as well as to help you keep track of your dad's needs.