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Is It Time for Home Care?

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How do you know when it’s time for home care? Your dad’s older, but it’s hard to see him as an aging man instead of the man who raised you. How can you tell when it’s time for home care? Here are some of the different scenarios to help make that decision.

His Health Is Changing

Your dad’s getting older, and his health is changing. Older adults’ most common chronic health conditions include arthritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. If your dad has one or more chronic conditions, he must take care of himself.

Care plans often include dietary changes, daily prescription medications, and regular visits with his doctor. If he’s having a hard time managing these changes, a home care aide can help out by offering medication reminders, appointment scheduling, and companionship on daily walks.

If your dad can’t drive himself to his doctor’s office, his caregiver can drive him. The caregiver can also inform you when appointments are scheduled or what happens at the appointments.

He’s Fallen

A fall is a good sign that he may need more help than he’s getting. Your dad was walking his dog and fell on the front steps. He broke his wrist when he put his hand out to break the fall.

When you ask him why he fell, he said his knee acted up, and the pain made him lose his balance. If he has arthritis and has sharp pains from time to time, he needs to be careful on stairs. A caregiver should be available to help him go up and down the stairs.

He’s Been Diagnosed With Dementia

Your dad’s doctor diagnosed him with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. He wants to stay in his home but will need a lot of support if that happens. Home care aides can assist him with meals, housework, and transportation.

He will need a caregiver to remind him to take his medications, help him with personal care, and schedule appointments. On appointment days, he needs someone to help him get ready and to the office or business on time.

He’s Not Eating Properly

Your dad’s doctor wants him to avoid excess sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. He doesn’t like to cook and instead relies on takeout, canned meals, and frozen dinners. They don’t meet his nutritional needs, and that worries you.

Hire caregivers to help him plan a weekly menu, shop for groceries, and prepare meals. He’ll have plenty to eat that matches his doctor’s recommendations, which gives you peace of mind.

Hire a home care aide as soon as you realize your dad needs help. Try not to wait until something happens to him. The earlier he has someone to help out, the easier it is for him to maintain his independence.