Errands Challenge Your Dad, Hire Senior Home Care to Help
While your dad is still living alone and as independent as possible, he’s having a harder time running errands. His doctor told him to stop driving due to his worsening vision, and giving up the keys was rough. He hates having to rely on you and other family members for rides.
Worse, he can’t see labels or price tags in stores, so he can’t just call a taxi or use public transportation. He has to have someone help him. Have you considered the benefits of senior home care in this situation?
Create Lists
Build a list of the errands your dad completes each week or every few weeks. Some of his weekly errands likely include shopping for groceries and household supplies. Once a month, he may have prescription refills to pick up. Once a year, he might need to get his eyes tested and new glasses fitted.
From time to time, he might receive a notice that he has a package at the post office that didn’t fit in his box. He needs to pick that up. Or, an appliance stopped working and he needs to shop for a replacement. Consider errands like those when you’re planning what errands your dad encounters.
Use these lists to determine how often he needs help. Once you have a breakdown of those tasks, decide how often you or your siblings are available to help him. Where there are gaps, hire senior home care aides for transportation and assistance running errands.
Talk About What Help He Needs When He’s Out
What help does your dad need when he’s out running errands? Make sure you have a clear idea of what he wants help completing and what he feels he’s fully capable of doing on his own.
If his vision is worsening and he can’t read nutrition labels, his caregiver can join him. He has a helper to read labels and feel more confident while choosing groceries that match his budget.
Can he walk around by himself or does he need a guide? If he has a hard time using stairs or navigating a curb, he needs someone to help him. Make sure he has this assistance both when he’s outside the home and when he’s walking up and down his stairs at home.
Transportation Services
Caregivers can drive your dad around town. He has a driver to bring him to stores and restaurants, post offices and attractions, or medical offices and pharmacies. He’s not stuck at home, and he has someone with him, which gives you peace of mind. Because he can still go out on the days he wants, he won’t feel housebound.
Your dad can have senior home care aides help him run errands. You don’t have to take time off work or reschedule your day to fit in his errands. Arrange to have a senior home care aide provide transportation and assist him with chores like shopping, medication refills, and post office visits.
