How to Determine Your Senior Loved One’s Care Requirements

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How Can I Tell What Level of Care My Elderly Parent Needs in Carmichael, CA

A personalized approach to senior care is best for helping your aging loved one remain as independent as possible while still receiving assistance. Some seniors only need hourly companions a few days each week. Others may require specialized care to help them overcome challenges posed by chronic health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Creating a care plan with the right types of support is possible when you follow these steps.

Understand the Different Levels of Care

One of the biggest benefits of aging in place is that your loved one can tailor his or her care plan to include only the services he or she needs. Companionship care is for seniors who may only need regular check-ins from caregivers to help them avoid feeling isolated. Overnight care is for seniors who need help getting up to use the restroom in the middle of the night or who have health conditions that require supervision. Your loved one can also arrange for hospital-to-home care that helps him or her recover from an illness or surgery.

Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Carmichael homecare provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.

Consider Your Loved One’s Health Status

With so many options for helping your loved one, it helps to start by looking at his or her physical needs. Seniors who have challenges with mobility may need housekeeping services or caregivers to accompany them to public places such as doctors’ offices. Your loved one might need transportation assistance if he or she has severe vision loss. Memory challenges typically signify seniors need a higher level of care because they can easily forget to turn off hot appliances or take their medications. Your parent may also need special care services that keep him or her healthier, such as assistance with following a comprehensive diet and exercise plan.

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional in-home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Set Up an In-Person Consultation

Most family caregivers are encountering these decisions for the first time. If this applies to your situation, talking to a home care professional can help you come up with the perfect care plan. An in-person consultation involves having a senior care professional visit your loved one at home. During this visit, the caregiver can observe your loved one and assess the current home environment. The caregiver can also talk to you about how much care your family can realistically provide, since professional caregivers often work closely with families to keep seniors safe around the clock.

Remember to Check in Regularly

Another benefit of home care is that you can adjust your parent’s plan as time goes on. Seniors who start with a lower level of care can transition to receiving new services as their health and abilities require. Make sure to talk to your loved one’s professional caregiver regularly to get updates that let you know when you may need to add new services. Staying flexible helps you protect your loved one’s health, and he or she will be more comfortable continuing to age in place. 

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Carmichael, CA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Call Home Care Assistance at (916) 485-4663 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.

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