Identify Your Needs
Identify the level of assisted care you will require. Wheelchair-bound seniors will require in-home care services that are vastly different in scope than the services provided for a senior experiencing mild to moderate dementia symptoms. To properly identify the level of care you will need, take a pen and paper and write down any illnesses and conditions you have, in addition note the specific items and tasks you think you will need assistance with.
Common In-Home Health Care Assistance Can Include:
- Administering medication at specific times throughout the day
- Managing and organizing medical appointments
- Meal preparation and food shopping
- Cleaning, laundry, gardening, trash removal
- Companionship
- Errand-running
- Paying bills and finance management
- Transportation
- Grooming
- Bathing
Choose The Type Of In-Home Care You Will Need, As Well As The Frequency
Choose the type of in-home assistive care you will require after you have identified your needs by examining your individual health conditions and the various tasks and aspects of life you need help with. Below is a list of the most common types of in-home care assistance providers utilized by seniors. Choose the type of care that is most appropriate for your needs; a visiting doctor is not budget-appropriate or pragmatic for a senior suffering from osteoporosis. Rather, for this type of situation a personal care attendant, home health aide, or even a homemaker would be an ideal choice to provide assistance with various chores, tasks, and more, while remaining a budget-conscious choice.
Conversely, a senior who has recently undergone surgery might best benefit from the services of a physical therapist who can facilitate post-surgical recovery and also perhaps a home health aide who can attend to various domestic tasks and chores while on your recovery journey. Concerning your budget, identify how often you will need your home care professional to assist you and plan accordingly.
