Survey

Can Your Loved One Live Independently?

As we watch older members of our family age, especially if we see them struggling to maintain their independence, our concern for their safety grows. While we want to honor their desire to remain independent for as long as possible, we also recognize that their ability to do so inevitably is challenged by physical and mental limitations. In addition, the physical environment of the place where they live may add to our safety concerns.

A review of the following “check list” will help you and your family evaluate whether your loved one needs to make some changes or modifications to their existing living environment, or whether an alternative arrangement may be necessary. While simply adding some safety enhancements to their residence may be all that’s needed, this helpful check list may reveal more extensive care is warranted.

Evaluating Your Loved One’s Care Needs:

		Is your loved one able to perform routine household chores? Are they able to cook for themselves? Wash the dishes? Do the laundry? Do they regularly clean and maintain their living space? Options: It may be time to have them move into a smaller living space that is easier to maintain. Or … if they’re determined to stay in their present residence, you might consider hiring a caregiver to help with meals and light housekeeping, or rotate those responsibilities among family members.

		Is your loved one eating healthy meals? Has there been a noticeable change in their weight, or do you suspect that their diet is not healthy? Options: As we get older, meal preparation becomes more of a chore, and food choices can reflect simply what tastes good, instead of what is good (i.e. nutritious). This is especially true if your loved one is living alone. Begin by looking in their refrigerator and pantry to see what food items they have on hand. You may want to offer helping with their grocery shopping, or suggesting that they purchase healthy, easy to cook foods. Especially good for snacks are fresh bananas and oranges. Hiring a caregiver to help with meal preparation and planning is another option. There are also various community services such as Meals on Wheels or meals at the local Senior Center.

		Is your loved one in need of assistance to move about? Do they tend to hold onto furniture to get from place to place? Are they in anyway dependent on a cane, wheelchair, or a walker? Do they need help getting in and out of bed, or to the toilet and while bathing? Options: As we age, and become increasingly dependent on aids to move about, we increase our chances of tripping and falling. A fall resulting in an injury can be devastating, and often leads to fear, isolation, and rapid deterioration. Unless there are appropriate family members available to provide assistance, hiring a caregiver trained to safely lift and move people about is a valuable option.

		Is your loved one a victim of a recent fall? If yes, were they able to get up without someone’s assistance? Falls are the most common cause of injury for seniors, and they typically occur in or around their personal living space. Options: Because it’s not safe to leave someone alone if they’re prone to falling, especially if they’re unable to get up without assistance, hiring a caregiver, when a family member is unable to be with them, is an important option. In addition, when your loved one is alone, purchasing a device that can be worn around the neck that allows them to activate an emergency call unit for quick response, is a key investment for their security and peace of mind. One such unit is the VoiceCare® Personal Emergency Response System, which is available through Abiding HomeCare.

		Is your loved one impeded in their telephone use? Can they easily hear it ring? Do they have difficulty hearing the other person on the line? Is it difficult for them to place outgoing calls, or pick up the phone when it rings? Since the telephone is an essential lifeline to the outside world, your loved one needs unrestricted access to their phone. Options: The purchase of a voice activated phone system for hands free dialing, with amplification and speakers for outgoing and incoming calls, would be a valuable option. There are also phones that flash on incoming calls to assist those who have limited hearing or site difficulty.

		Is your loved one able to drive safely? If not, are there stores and services within walking distance? Not being able to get out can result in isolation, which can lead to depression. Options: Unless family members can provide transportation, hiring a caregiver to take your loved one shopping, run errands, or drive them to appointments and activities, is critical to their need to stay connected with the outside world and friends.

		Is your loved one socially connected? Are they involved with outside activities, a hobby, or a special interest? Do they have a close friend, or a group of friends, that they spend time with on a regular basis? Options: Since a good social support system is important for your loved one’s well-being, you might want to encourage their participation in a local senior center, or some other community organization. If they’re already involved, make sure that they have access, via some form of transportation, to assure their continued involvement.

		Is your loved one’s residence equipped with safety features? Have basic safety features been added, such as: (1) grab bars in the bathroom? (2) hand rails on both sides of stairs? (3) up-to-date heating and ventilation? (4) smoke and carbon monoxide alarms? (5) modified heat levels on the water heater? Options: Having a safety assessment of the home will help determine if a living space is safe and secure. Having a professional install appropriate safety devices, or make improvements to the living space designed to assure the safety of your loved one, is essential for their well-being and care.

Depending on how you answered these questions, perhaps you’ve come to the realization that some changes to your loved one’s living accommodations may be necessary in order for them to continue to live independently. You may discover that it’s time to tap into community services, such as Meals on Wheels, or an in-home care provider. Or … it may be evident that your loved one has reached a stage where assisted living or even a skilled nursing facility may be warranted. Whatever the case, it’s vitally important that you talk about your concerns with your loved one, and involve them in the decision-making process. To the extent that your loved one is mentally and emotionally strong and competent, it’s critical that you work together to come up with a solution that respects their wishes while ensuring their safety and well being. Abiding HomeCare is here to help you with these quality of life issues for your loved one, including home safety and alternative living arrangements.