When Is The Time To Find A Caregiver
Sometimes an older adult’s need for additional help is obvious. It could be that he or she is having a hard time getting to appointments, seems confused by instructions, or perhaps isn’t paying bills on time. More often, though, the change happens gradually.
That’s where a professional assessment comes in. This comprehensive review of all aspects of a person’s mental, physical, and environmental condition is one way to determine if your loved one needs assistance. This helps to evaluate his or her ability to remain safely independent and identify risks and ways to reduce them.
A family member or caregiver also has an opportunity to evaluate how a loved one is doing in terms of health, safety, and quality of life.
Mobility
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 1 in 4 older adults will have a fall. To make sure your loved one isn’t part of that statistic, evaluate their living space, including potential fall hazards: unsafe indoor or outdoor stairs (especially without railings) or slippery throw rugs. Are they using unsafe stepladders or stools to reach for items on kitchen shelves? Do the soles of their shoes have good traction?
Pay particularly close attention to how well your loved one is getting around. A lack of mobility not only takes a physical toll but can also have psychological repercussions.
There are some ways to evaluate a person’s mobility to see if he or she is steady on their feet. One is the timed up-and-go test: Mark a line about 10 feet from a chair. At the word “go,” ask your loved one to stand up from the chair, walk at a normal pace forward to the line, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down. On average, people who take 12 seconds or more to complete the test are at a high risk of falling. Also, observe them walking across a room and take note of their gait speed and the movement of their feet. Are they shuffling or dragging them? How far apart are their feet when walking? When someone spreads their feet far apart, that tends to indicate difficulty in balance.
What to do: A certified aging-in-place specialist (CAPS) can suggest modifications to make your loved one’s home safer. These may include handrails on both sides of stairs, grab bars for getting in or out of the shower or a walk-in bathtub, a higher toilet seat, or added ramps. In the kitchen, make it easier to reach everyday items by storing them in lower cabinets. Add inexpensive sliding pantry organizers and shelving to cabinets for easier access. And find a caregiver who could assist them on a daily basis.
Mental health
Depression can be tricky to spot in older adults. It’s normal for an older person to feel down every once in a while — perhaps frustrated by health problems or worried about money. What’s more, there isn’t necessarily a mood component.
Dementia, meanwhile, is more of a memory change or impairment. The common theme is forgetfulness, more than people would expect with normal aging. “Early on, changes and difficulty with what we call instrumental activities — financial management, managing medications, and driving — on a daily basis may indicate impairment caused by dementia,” as per the study.
Depression sometimes gets misdiagnosed as dementia, since an older adult with depression may exhibit dementia-like symptoms. People who have depression may not concentrate as well, and that may sometimes look like memory loss and dementia — we call that pseudodementiaBeing able to distinguish between the two is important.
Listen and offer emotional support. If you don’t live nearby, find a caregiver to look in on your loved one. Or consult a geriatric psychiatrist, a doctor trained to recognize and treat mental illnesses in older people. Treatment can include antidepressants, talk therapy, or a combination of the two.
Money matters
What you’re looking for: stacks of unopened mail and unpaid bills, uncashed checks, and key home or legal documents that haven’t been dealt with. Another flag: unusual transactions or amounts of money going to charities.
What to do: The solution may be as simple as helping sort the mail and prioritizing. Offer to help with the more complicated matters while your loved one continues handling day-to-day household and personal finances. For example, help your loved one open another checking account that he could use for cash and basic needs, and pay the bills from his primary account. You’re not managing or taking over their financial affairs, just acting as another set of eyes. Also, many banks will arrange, with your parent’s permission, to have bank statements sent to you. You may also need to help your loved one hire a financial manager.
Driving
By 2030, there will be more than 70 million people age 65 and older, and about 85 percent will be licensed to drive. In fact, seniors are outliving their ability to drive safely by an average of seven to 10 years, according to a study. Multiple accidents or a number of tickets means it’s time to have a talk.
What to do: Tag along for a ride and keep your eyes peeled. Is your loved one having close calls or getting lost on very familiar roads? Does there appear to be a cognitive problem or vision difficulties? It may be time for a medical evaluation. Poor vision may be easily fixed with a new pair of prescription glasses.
Changes in appearance
Has your loved one’s appearance changed? Have they gained or lost a significant amount of weight? Is your father’s hair matted or has he gone without shaving for a while? If your mother was always meticulous about her appearance but is suddenly wearing the same clothes every day or isn’t cutting her nails, it could indicate cognitive issues or depression. Unexplained bruises — where a loved one can’t remember when or how they got them — are another red flag. An odor may be a sign that they’re not bathing.
What to do: These changes may have multiple causes, so go on a fact-finding mission. For example, as a study says, changes in hygiene may reflect a lack of motivation or a lack of awareness (possibly pointing to depression or a cognitive issue that may need evaluation and treatment). Or, you may find that changes in mobility — say, a fear of getting in and out of the bathtub or showering — are hindering their ability to care for themselves. Perhaps grab bars need to be installed or a handheld shower and shower seat purchased.
Life at home
Your loved one may be withdrawing from friends and family. Perhaps they’re not keeping up with the usual chores or favorite hobbies (for example, Mom’s beautiful garden is now filled with weeds). There may be a problem with hoarding, soiled sheets, or the smell of urine throughout the house. If they need to follow a special diet, make sure they’re adhering to it. Keep an eye out for sugar-laden and processed foods (no-no’s for those with type 2 diabetes) or treats that are high in sodium (if your loved one has high blood pressure).
What to do: People who are lonely and disconnected from others have faster rates of cognitive decline. What’s more, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, adults aged 50 and older have a higher risk of mortality due to social isolation and loneliness. Find out whom your loved one interact with on a regular basis. Seek out potential activities they’d enjoy, such as a senior center, a program where she can volunteer, or simply a regular gathering of friends for coffee. Regular phone calls can help keep your parent socially connected, as can other technology, such as video chats, online communities, and social media such as Facebook. Find out how he is making or receiving meals and whether he is adhering to a special diet. If necessary, arrange for home-delivered meals, housekeeping, and laundry assistance.
Medication
“Medication is a double-edged sword,” notes one medical director. This is especially true when it comes to seniors — many of whom may be taking five or more drugs on a given day, or more drugs than are medically necessary, a phenomenon known as polypharmacy. “How those pills are going to interact with each other and potential side effects that may occur when that cocktail is in your system is unpredictable,” he added.
What to do: Look at your loved one’s pill bottles to be sure medication is being taken as directed and is being refilled. Set up a pill organizer and keep a list of all medications taken — that includes over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, and vitamins — with frequency and dosage. If you’re noticing troubling symptoms, such as fatigue or depression, ask a doctor or pharmacist if a medication or combination of drugs could be the cause. A pharmacist can review all of your loved one’s prescriptions, not just those prescribed by a specific doctor. Geriatric pharmacists are especially knowledgeable about how medications affect older people
The next step
Noticing more than a few red flags? It may be time to find a caregiver to make a more in-depth geriatric assessment about the degree of impairment and what is causing the impairment, as well as to offer recommendations — as part of a team — about what can be done. The best person to go to initially is the primary care physician, who knows your loved one’s history, or a geriatrician.
Another option: Family members and caregivers can hire an individual geriatric care manager (also known as an aging life care professional) to conduct assessments in the home over time to see how loved ones are functioning on a day-to-day basis. The manager will counsel them and you about the results and refer them to other resources to address other issues, such as a physical therapist, a neurologist for an assessment of cognitive impairment, or a home-care agency if the person needs help in the home.
You may also visit our blog for more Child care tips and ideas.
At Rundil Home Care Services, we help thoughtful families to hire trustworthy and experienced companion care services and personal care services to improve the comfort and happiness of their loved ones significantly with complete peace of mind.
Our goal is to go beyond the basic necessities to focus on enhancing the overall quality of life. We strongly believe that choice is the key component to effective care, preserving dignity, and promoting independence. At Rundil Home Care Services for seniors, we don’t look to drive our clients’ decisions but to provide comprehensive support to live the life they choose.
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