Elderly Help -- Making A Plan
Do you need an elderly help Plan? If you're caring for a loved one, you may surprised at what you'll need to know about. I sure was. And, I learned, success is in the details. Caregiving can come upon us suddenly like it did with our Dad. Or perhaps you were lucky and life gradually progressed along. No matter what your circumstances or the elderly issues you are dealing with, this page will help you quickly and methodically create a Plan, or hone your current one. This page has been developed to help you figure out the elderly assistance you or your loved one may need. Caring for elderly parents or loved ones needs detail, so a Plan will make it less stressful and more satisfying. If your loved one has been hospitalized, some of the decisions about elderly help will be made for you or with you by a health care professional or social services representative. You may be advised that they must move to assisted living or a nursing home either temporarily or permanently. And if someone must move to a healthcare facility. Read this check list to help determine the areas of elderly assistance that you will need. Health Care: A good elderly help Plan consists of first discovering and dealing with health care issues. These elderly issues will also trigger lots of other needs. You will get information on some items below because of hospital stays or visits with elderly health care providers. If you are caring for elderly parents, go with them to their medical appointments to make sure everything is understood correctly and can be carried out. Make a list in advance of your questions and discussion items regarding your elderly help Plan and health concerns. Speak with the doctors yourself, and repeat back the information given. Write it down so everyone is very clear about diagnosis and procedures. This eliminates confusion or misinterpretation by your loved one who may not hear or understand well. Many elderly people will only cooperate if they hear information directly from their doctor. Find out what will work regarding care of elderly in-home. My Dad, for instance, had severe hearing and vision loss and is almost deaf and blind. Here is a list of possible health concerns. When making your plan, remember to ask yourself: 
___ Make sure medical appointments are up-to-date___ Needs help setting and remembering appointments ___ Needs help getting to appointments ___ Medication reminders ___ Medication set up ___ Total medication management ___ Needs help picking up prescriptions ___ Shows signs of vision loss – needs vision aid ___ Shows signs of hearing loss – needs hearing aid ___ Needs special equipment – a walker, cane, wheelchair ___ Shows signs of incontinence ___ Needs foot care ___ Needs ear cleaning care ___ Needs regular exercise ___ Has frequent bruising or sores ___ Skin tone has obvious changes ___ Pre- or post-surgery care ___ Wound care ___ Skin condition care ___ Loss of appetite ___ Daily “I’m OK” check-in ___ Talk to a health care social worker about resources for help ___ Talk to a social worker, state or county about public benefits and aid. ___ Understand Medicare and Medicaid guidelines for aid ___ If the elderly was a veteran, talk to the VA about aid ___ Ask any professional helping you about elderly assistance ___ Other Safety: 
A strong elderly help Plan includes many safety issues that result from elderly health problems. Seniors often try to fiercely maintain their independence. They may not even mention they are having problems. They may only leave subtle clues that something has happened. When it was time for Dad to move in with me, safety measures were of primary importance. But we really had to watch and pick his brain to discover exactly to what extent. It is important when you are caring for elderly parents and loved ones, to be observant especially about
frequent forgetfulness,
otherwise you may never know what it really going on. What are the clues? Refer to our article on
signs of elderly problems. ___ Not able to use stairs 
Personal Needs:All facets of an elderly help Plan require sensitivity to personal dignity. And patience. As we age, daily personal routines and grooming tasks become more difficult or even impossible. Elderly people who had been used to taking care of others, now find themselves needing help with basic daily tasks. This is a sensitive issue when caring for elderly parents. It can cause embarrassment to them. And maybe to you. Being very honest, understanding and supportive is the best way. There are many solutions that allow caring for the elderly in-home, and outside help from a home healthcare service may be needed. Review the list below and add any additional areas for elderly help. ___ Cannot transfer from chair or bed or toilet 
An elderly help Plan also must include social needs. This can be a vital part of any healing process. You can imagine that the changes mentioned above can have a huge impact on the elderly person psychologically. One of the reasons Dad moved in with me rather than stay in assisted living is because due to his hearing and vision loss, it was impossible for him to socialize or participate in groups. He could not see who he was talking to and so could not recognize or identify anyone who came up to him. Nor could he understand much of what they were saying. Health and nutrition issues can cause changes to healthy brain processes too, and can cause confusion and depression. You can find help available through a health care provider familiar with care of elderly. A strong social support system is an important factor in dealing with elderly issues. Here are some items to review for social needs. Return from Elderly Help, Making A Plan, |
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