Before contacting an in-home care provider like us, it’s important to consider what support is needed for in-home care—both daily and weekly—for your loved one. Your observations may change as needs increase, but understanding the required support will help make the transition to caregivers much smoother.
Below is a list of common needs to observe and evaluate. Don’t worry, we will help you as well.
1. Evaluate Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
Physical Care
- Bathing and personal hygiene
- Dressing and grooming
- Toileting assistance
- Mobility and transfer help (getting in/out of bed, chairs)
- Meal preparation and eating
2. Assess Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs):
Lifestyle Support
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Grocery shopping and errands
- Transportation to appointments
- Social engagement and activities
3. Schedule Considerations:
- Hours per day needed
- Days per week
- Overnight supervision requirements
- Emergency backup plans
- Respite care for family caregivers
4. Special Factors:
- Language or cultural preferences
- Dietary restrictions or needs
- Memory care requirements
- Fall risk level
- Social and emotional support needs
- Pet care assistance, if needed
5. Home Environment Assessment:
- Safety modifications needed
- Accessibility concerns
- Emergency exit plans
Pro tip: Keep a diary for a week noting all assistance provided and challenges encountered. This will help identify patterns and needs you might otherwise overlook.
To work with us, it is not necessary to complete your own observations of the above possible needs, but it will aid us to give the support that your loved one will need. Plus, the less stress there is with the transition to in-home care, the faster your loved one can adapt to their new caregiving support.
Are you curious about what support is needed for in-home care?
Reach out to us so we can have an exploratory call with you.