In-house support services for elders encapsulate a comprehensive range of services to assist the elderly population who are not able to carry on with the critical needs such as bathing, toileting, cooking, and so forth, or are suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other age-related diseases. The rudimentary criteria to be eligible for the program includes being above 60 years of age or residents under the age of 60 with early on-set Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. In addition, the cost of the in-house home care services is determined by income. Now that we have talked about the basics of adults’ in-house care services, let us look at the determining checklist.
Checklist of Daily Living Activities and Personal Hygiene
Using the list, you can determine whether or not an elderly in your home needs outside help.
- Does the person cook their meals regularly?
- Do they clean up after their meals by washing dishes, wiping dishes, wiping down counters, and putting away leftovers
- Are they eating well?
- Are they following their dietary restrictions, if there are any?
- Do they bathe themselves regularly?
- Are they brushing their teeth?
- Are they able to take care of their pets, if any?
- Do they dress in clean clothes?
- Do they smell nice?
- Are they managing their finances correctly?
There would be a clear need for additional personal care assistance for the elderly in your life if you checked “no” more often than “yes.”
Checklist of Social Life and Mobility
- Does the person continue to keep in touch with their family, friends, and neighbors?
- Do they still go to family events and other social attends that they previously attended?
- Does the senior have the ability to crochet, sew, assemble puzzles, and engage in other hobbies?
- Can they hear properly while having an in-hand conversation or telephonic conversation?
- Can they hear the phone ringing?
- Do they seem to be happy?
- Is it possible for them to recall the names of close relatives and friends?
- Are they able to continue doing the outdoor chores such as mowing the land, gardening, brisk walking, and so forth?
- Are they able to continue doing errands?
If most of the questions were no, it is high time to talk about special care for the elder in your family.
Checklist for Safety and Memory
- Is the elder able to carry their clothes too and from the laundry room
- Can they walk independently without taking the assistance of a walker, stick, scooter, etc.?
- Can they get out of the bed, chair, or wheelchair?
- Are they able to shower safely?
- Do they take their medications regularly?
- Are they able to move to places without getting lost?
- Are they able to manage their medical equipment such as blood sugar monitor, oxygen monitor, and so forth?
- Do they remember to turn off their stove, shower, or tub?
- Do they still know how to play their favorite game?
If the answer is no for most of the questions, then your loved one might require extra personal care.