Your dad lives alone, and you don’t live nearby. While that used to be okay, his health is changing. He’s not sure he can manage on his own, but he’s also insistent that he remains in his neighborhood. Have you talked about home care?
What Does Your Dad Find Difficult to Do Each Day?
Your dad has a list of things he has to do each day. How many of those daily tasks challenge him? Some of the areas where older adults struggle are:
- Remembering to take daily medications correctly
- Doing the laundry without help
- Preparing and cooking meals in the oven or on the stove
- Paying bills online
- Vacuuming carpeted stairs and rooms on other levels of the home
- Keeping track of appointments and getting to them on time
- Trimming their toenails
- Changing bed sheets
- Taking out the trash and recycling
Is He Able to Drive?
Can your dad still drive or has his doctor told him to stop? If it’s time for him to hand over the keys, a home care aide can take over and make sure he has a ride to stores, senior centers, community events, and appointments.
Who Lives Close By?
Does your dad have any support people around? If he does, how often do they visit? If he’s going weeks without anyone stopping in, it’s not enough. Someone needs to make sure he has enough food and beverages, that his heat or AC is working properly, that his home has running water, and that he has electricity.
If he forgets to pay a bill, he could end up with power, water, or heat shut off, and that can be dangerous in very hot or icy weather. He has to have running water for showers, toileting, and meal preparation. It’s important to have someone making sure bills are paid and he has these necessities.
Does He Have Pets?
Does your dad have pets for companionship? If so, is he able to care for them the way he should? They need daily exercise, fresh water, meals, cuddles, and basic care like nail trims, teeth care, and brushing. If he’s struggling with that, someone needs to help out.
He may need help driving to the vet’s office for their yearly exams. You also need to consider if your dad needs help purchasing food and other pet care items or if he’s okay doing that on his own.
Is His Home Set Up for Aging?
What is your dad’s home layout? If he has bedrooms upstairs and bathrooms on the main level, that means he’s making trips to the downstairs bathroom in the middle of the night. Is he able to do this safely? You might need to consider moving rooms around to enable him to live on one level.
Is Your Dad’s Health Likely to Change?
Is his health changing? If he has a chronic health condition, it may be harder for him to get around his home or take care of himself. Help from family caregivers or home care aides becomes necessary. It’s time to talk to your siblings and other family members involved in your dad’s care.
Now that you’ve talked to the rest of the family and know what to ask, call a home care agency. An advisor can go over your questions, help you understand the services better, and get your dad started with caregiver visits.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Franklin Lakes, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Applause Home Care today. Call (201) 326-8051
Applause Home Care provides independent, non-franchised quality Home Care for elders and families in and around Fort Lee, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Paramus, Glen Rock, Pompton Plains, Franklin Lakes, Westwood, Montvale, and Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
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