To live independently, your aging parent should be able to handle the activities of daily living (ADLs).
These daily self-care tasks include:
- Eating
- Getting dressed
- Hygiene/grooming
- Showering/bathing
- Toileting
- Transferring/moving around/walking
There are also instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
These include:
- Being able to use the phone and talk to others
- Cleaning the house and doing laundry
- Driving/using transportation services
- Managing money/paying bills
- Shopping
- Taking medications
When your dad struggles with these, he puts his mental and physical health at risk. He may feel isolated and alone if he can’t leave his home. If he has a hard time getting out of bed or in and out of the shower, there’s a fall risk that can lead to serious injuries. Before this happens, it’s important to look into elder care services.
Look at Your Dad’s Daily Routine
If you use the ADLs and IADLs as a guide to what your dad needs to do each day or week, it can help you determine when he needs help. Let’s say you’ve noticed he wears the same two shirts and pairs of pants each week, he may be unable to do laundry. If his towels and sheets aren’t getting changed at least weekly, he may need help with housework.
You’ve noticed your dad is eating a lot of frozen pizzas or ordering takeout every night. He may not be able to cook a meal anymore. He’d need meal preparation services to ensure he’s getting the right nutrients.
What Does Elder Care Do?
Elder care involves the help of a caregiver. A caregiver comes to your dad home to help with the ADLs or IADLs that he cannot do alone. Caregivers can take him shopping, bring in his groceries, and cook meals. A caregiver can take care of the light housework and laundry each week. Caregivers can schedule appointments, get him to and from medical and dental offices, and make sure he’s brushing his teeth, shaving, and combing his hair.
Caregivers can help your dad choose appropriate clothing for the weather. They can offer him medication reminders to make sure he’s not skipping a dose. Elder care services also cover things like helping him with toileting, bathing, and completing daily exercises.
Caregivers can come every day, every other day, or once a week. The scheduling is up to you and your dad. It all starts with a phone call to our elder care agency.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Needham MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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