Adult children living in Missoula Montana worry about the care their aging parents may need. Like other concerned children across the United States, they do not know what is best or often how to recognize when a change in the status quo is required. They wonder how they can rightly determine when senior home care like Tequesta Terrace assisted living, compassionate home care or other arrangements are necessary.
What to Look for
Being elderly does not immediately mean you need to be in assisted living, a retirement or old age facility or require care. Many seniors can live out their lives independently in their own homes. Even in cases where the seniors mobility is affected, they are able to get by, move around the home, and even shop for groceries on their own with the help of a Pride Mobility Go Go Sport 3 Wheel Scooter. It is true however, that over time the aging process can bring about cognitive and physical differences capable of interfering with the activities of daily living (ADLs).
A basic means of measuring the degree to which the aging process is affecting a senior is to consider how well they can perform daily functions and activities. Using the below list can help you determine whether your aging parent or friend may require senior home care.
- Bathing
- Bathroom habits
- Bill payments
- Bowel control (continence or incontinence)
- Cleaning the house
- Cooking
- Dressing
- Feeding
- Getting in and out of bed
- Socializing
- Transportation
Any deviation from these activities; or any indication the senior parent cannot perform the expected levels of ADLs and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) competently may indicate the need for some type of senior home care.
Other Factors
It is not only how the elderly parent is affected. It is also about how you and your family are impacted by the senior’s current situation. You seriously need to consider senior home care if:
- The needs of the parent are increasing
- The time spent helping with such tasks as house cleaning, shopping, medical visits and addressing personal needs is continuing to increase
- Health issues are becoming more overt and require greater attention
More importantly, you should consider home care help if you are feeling stressed out, overwhelmed and unable to handle the situation for much longer.
In-Home Care
If you notice a decline in the functional abilities of your elderly parent, this does not mean you need to move him or her into a local assisted living facility or long-term care home. However, it does clearly indicate he or she may require assistance. They may need support or supervision to continue living independently. Before an emergency necessitates such a change, talk about it with the parent and his or her doctor. If recommended, gently suggest hiring senior home care. Above all, make sure your parent knows how much better it will make you feel to know he or she is safe and secure at home. But when an assisted living is to consider, don’t hesitate to look for a place like villadesanantonio.com/the-community/ or orchardparkofpermianbasin.com/independent-living/ so that your elderly parent will get the right help needed.