adult caregiving guide - home care, American Homecare Network

ADULT CAREGIVING GUIDE
Information, assistance and support
As a person begins to age, family members
often feel the need to help with everyday tasks
that have become challenging for a loved one.
This can include activities like meal preparation,
laundry and housekeeping. Eventually, some
family members find themselves assisting in
way they never expected, with hygiene and
grooming. Other caregivers are affected by a
loved one’s unexpected disease or disorder.
Caregiving for a loved one can take its toll and
can change family dynamics. Providing care for
a loved one can become highly stressful –
whether your family member lives next door or
thousands of miles away.
If you need help, you are not alone.
American Home Care Network, LLC provides
caregiving services for families just like yours.
We can help you, too.
Aging isn’t easy.
Not for the person who is
feeling the effects of it. And not for family
members.
This caregiving guide will help assist you to
determine if your aging parent, spouse or friend
is getting the assistance he or she needs.
SIGNS THAT YOUR LOVED
ONE’S NEEDS ARE
CHANGING
It can be hard to tell when aging is affecting a
family member, however, don’t ignore the
warnings signs. Small changes can add up to
much larger challenges rather quickly. If you
notice any of these changes in your loved one, it
might be time to seek outside help:
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Changes in relationships with others.
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Withdrawal from social interactions.
Unusual behavior. This may include
increased agitation, speaking loudly or little
talking at all.
Neglecting personal care. This may include
poor hygiene or nutrition.
To help you better understand your loved one’s
limitations, use the following Needs Assessment
Worksheets. Filling out the worksheets can
serve as a guide as to whether or not it’s time
to hire a professional caregiver. If it is, these
worksheets can also help your caregiver
understand your loved one’s needs.
Instrumental Activities of Daily
Living (IADLS):
NO
HELP
NEEDED
SOME
HELP
NEEDED
MUCH
HELP
NEEDED
Using the
telephone
Shopping for
personal items
Transportation
Managing
finances
Doing laundry
Light
housework
Meal
preparation
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
WORKSHEETS
Conditions/Functional Status - do the
Activities of Daily Living (ADLS):
following affect functionality?
NO
HELP
NEEDED
Bathing
Dressing
Grooming
Toileting
Eating
nutritious
meals
Getting out
of bed
Getting out
of a chair
Walking
SOME
HELP
NEEDED
MUCH
HELP
NEEDED
NONE
Hearing
Vision
Perception
Orientation
Thinking
Memory
Decision-making
Judgment
Physical dexterity
Balance
Strength
Energy
Bladder/bowel
control
Arthritis
Hypertension
Heart disease
Diabetes
Physical deformity
Depression
SOME
MAJOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY WORKSHEET
A complete understanding of capabilities, medical conditions and home environment is
needed to make an informed decision on the best possible care for your loved one.
NO
PROBLEM
Neighborhood
Living Space
Stairs
Floors
Furnishings
Lighting
Kitchen
Bathroom
Safety
Convenience
Friends or relatives nearby
Age of dwelling
Roof in good shape
Windows in good shape
Siding in good condition
Appears cared for
Security and safety
Dead bolt locks on outside doors
Peephole in front door
Window bars or locks
Visible from road (no trees or bushes blocking view)
Smoke alarms installed, tested
Passageways cleared of wires and clutter
Handrails on both sides
In good repair and non-skid surface
Clearly marked
Non-skid level surface
Non-glare surfaces
No loose rugs mats
Couch and chairs easy to use
Tables are the right height
Bed is easy to get in and out of
Light switches easy to reach
Important areas are well lit
Light diffused from windows and surfaces (no glare)
Passageways have night lights
Lever handles on sink
Clean rubber mat by the sink
Items used often are easily accessible
Storage is easy to get to
No objects are over the stove
Grab bars attached to studs, by the toilet and tub or shower
Non-skid strips in the tub or shower
Hand-held shower head
Non-slip bath mat or rug
NEEDS
CHANGE
HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST
Use this checklist to make sure that your loved one’s home doesn’t pose any health or safety
concerns.
General
Bathroom
 Find someone to check on the individual
daily.
 Schedule vision check.
 Discuss medications with physician to
determine effects on balance.
 Establish light exercise program.
 Ensure grab bars are near the tub,
shower, and toilet and are mounted
properly.
 Place non-slip surfaces in the tub or
shower.
 Place nightlight near room entrance.
 Add non-slip backing to rugs or
bathmats on the floor.
 Add shower/tub bench or seat.
All Rooms
 Remove loose carpeting or rugs that do
not have a non-slip backing.
 Clear traffic areas of furniture.
 Tape electrical cords and other wires
against walls.
 Install bright lighting with switches and
working light bulbs.
 Place telephones on tables at a height
that can be reached from the floor.
Bedrooms
 Place non-tip lamp on bedside table to
allow room for eyeglasses.
 Clear traffic area from bedroom to
bathroom.
 Use a comfortable, sturdy chair to aid in
dressing.
Stairs and Inclines
Kitchen
 Keep free of items.
 Clear plenty of room to move at top and
bottom.
 Repair loose carpeting or edges.
 Securely attach handrails at the proper
height for user.
 Install proper lighting on steps, including
switches at top and bottom of stairs.
 Place items where they can be reached
without the use of a stool.
 Create area to sit during food
preparation.
 Repair flooring which has cracks, splits,
or up-turned edges.
TALK TO YOUR FAMILY
ABOUT HOME CARE
BENEFITS
Consider a family meeting to discuss home care
benefits, informal or formal, and address the
issues of what is most important to the aging
adult. The primary of goal of this meeting
should be to involve the aging adult in a process
to help them identify issues and specific needs
before an emergency or crisis situation
develops. To be successful it is important you
reassure them that you value their
independence, dignity and want to work and
support them to improve or maintain their
quality of life.
Most aging adults will want to remain in their
home. Let them know in order for this to be a
viable option it is important everyone
understands what is important to them as far as
their living situation so you can help plan for
their future. Have them identify what is very
important, somewhat important, or not
important at all.
A list of issues you may want to
address:
Do you want or need:
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To live near your family members and
friends
Maintain your privacy
Keep your pets
Live in a place where you feel secure
Have access to activities you enjoy
Have access to your place of worship
Have the ability to maintain a clean home
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Have the ability to maintain personal
hygiene
Have nutritious meals and need assistance
with meal preparation
Maintain control over your finances
Need assistance with your financial matters
Need transportation for shopping,
community service, doctors’ appointments,
banking
Ability to be involved in volunteer work
Home maintenance services – lawn care,
plumbing, electrical work, driveway and
sidewalk cleaning for snow and ice removal
Help with reordering or taking medications,
scheduling doctor appointments and lab
work
To have someone advocate or facilitate
appropriate medical care
These questions will give you a basis from
where to start. If you find there is no way the
aging adult will even begin to discuss issues or
entertain any ideas they may need help, you
may want to seek the help and advice of a
trusted professional or friend who is someone
your parents hold in high regard. They may be
willing to accept the advice and guidance of
their family physician, their pastor, rabbi or
priest, or a close family friend who has gone
through this with their parents.
Do not hesitate to use their trusted status as a
means to relay your concerns and steer your
parents in the right direction. Do not take any
rebuttals personally. This is not an easy process
and you must keep your eye on the goal of
maintaining their maximum level of
independence and quality home health care
they will allow you to provide as they go
through the aging process.
A family meeting may require a professional to
be present. When family members have trouble
working together or when the family is divided
on a big issue, it is often helpful to have an
outside neutral party to attend. There are case
managers, social workers, eldercare facilitators,
family mediators and ministers available to
provide this service. These individuals do not
make any decisions for you, they will help keep
you focused on the priorities and address areas
that need clarification.
How do you know what level of
home care may be needed?
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Assess the structural barriers in the home
environment that may limit independent
mobility. You can read our section
on Assessing the Home Environment for
more details.
What aid or durable medical equipment will
be needed or is in the home?
What are the informal support systems in
place- caregivers- do they live at the
residence?
Are they able or willing to continue to
provide on-going support?
How often is caregiver assistance needed?
Once a day? Several times a day? Weekly?
Several times a week?
What type of informal assistance is
required? Assistance with bathing, dressing,
toileting, meal preparation, housekeeping,
laundry, shopping, telephone assistance
and finances?
Do they need support with socialization,
companionship, recreation, etc.?
Will they need power of attorney,
conservator of person, health care agent?

Advocate to facilitate and coordinate the
aging adult’s participation in appropriate
medical care?
What is their present
cognitive/mental status?
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Are they experiencing depression,
confusion, anxiety?
Extreme or bizarre personal hygiene habits?
Are they a wanderer?
Do they exhibit abusive or assaultive
physical or verbal behavior?
Do they exhibit poor judgment or
noncooperation in a way they pose a
danger to self or others?
There may or may not be any of these
behaviors demonstrated.
You must answer the question, “Does the aging
adult need supervision due to cognitive
impairment or poor judgment? The answer will
help determine the extent of home care
benefits needed.
If so, does the aging adult require
need for supervision?
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None of the time
Less than daily
Daily but not constant
All of the time
GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY
LIVING
As people age, they are at a higher risk of
getting debilitating diseases like obesity, cardiac
diseases, and elevated blood pressure. It has
been seen that many of the health problems
faced by seniors occur due to inactivity and
poor eating habits. Several of the health
problems faced by seniors can be resolved or
prevented by following a few important
guidelines.
Some of the guidelines for healthy living that
seniors can follow are as follows:
Proper nutrition and diet is a must for
seniors. By eating a healthy and balanced diet
comprising of green leafy vegetables, whole
grains, fresh fruits, cereals and salads, seniors
will get adequate amount of vitamins and
minerals.
Many seniors have mineral and vitamin
deficiencies as they do not take care about their
diet. The diet should have low fat content to
avoid increase in blood cholesterol levels.
Instead, the senior should be looking to add
anti-oxidants into their diet by eating foods like
flaxseed, carrots, nuts, legumes, fruits and
vegetables.
Under all circumstances, seniors should avoid
consuming fast food. Not only are these foods
high in saturated fats, they also contain many
harmful toxins and chemicals. This would be the
right time to quit smoking and alcohol. These
can only cause harm to your body. Smoking and
alcohol lead to heart related problems, liver
problems and cancers that seniors can do
without.
Drink sufficient amounts of water every
day; around 8 to 10 glasses of water is required
to ensure that seniors do not get dehydrated or
suffer from constipation.
Exercise is a must for healthy body and mind.
Through exercise, seniors can control their
weight, check cholesterol levels, strengthen
muscle mass and bones and avoid loss of bone
density.
Often seniors get stressed out as they worry
about their finances, loneliness or being unable
to fend for themselves. Stress can cause
several additional health problems that seniors
can do without. Indigestion, blood pressure,
panic attacks and heartburns can occur due to
high levels of stress. So, seniors should be
looking to do relaxation exercises like
meditation and yoga to reduce their stress
levels. They should also socialize and go out
with friends and family to reduce the risk of
getting depressed and feeling lonely.
As aging is a natural process and cannot be
stopped, there will be certain health problems
that will crop up. However, if seniors go for
regular health checkups, many of these
problems can be caught early and minimal
medical intervention will be required to cure
them or stop their progress.
FALL PREVENTION FOR THE
ELDERLY
The following is a potential list of the risk
factors that may apply to your aging loved one
in their home. The more factors checked, the
higher the risk for falling:
 History of falling - 2 or more falls in last 6
months.
 Vision loss - If your loved one changes in
their ability to detect or discriminate
objects; you notice a decline in depth
perception; or a decrease in their ability to
recover from a sudden exposure to bright
light or sun glare.
 Hearing loss - take notice to your loved
one’s ability to hear. If they have
decreased hearing it may affect their
response time to a potentially dangerous
situation.
 Foot pain or shoe problems – foot pain can
affect walking and balance; neuropathies
cause decreased sensation or feeling; sores
on foot or ill-fitting or badly worn shoes.
 Medications - taking four or more
medications; medications that may cause
drowsiness, dizziness or low blood
pressure.
 Balance problems - observe you loved
ones ability to walk; a decline in balance; a
decline in speed of walking; observe for
weakness of lower extremities.
 High or low blood pressure - Both of these
conditions or the medications that treat
them may cause unsteadiness.
 Hazards inside and outside the home.
Preventing Falls Safety Checklist
• Keep emergency numbers in large print near
each phone.
• Put a phone near the floor in case a fall occurs
and your loved one is unable to get up.
• Wear shoes that give good support and have
non-slip soles. Avoid wearing slippers and
athletic shoes with deep threads.
• Remove things you can trip over (papers,
books, clothes, and shoes) from stairs and
places where your loved ones walk.
• Keep outside walks and steps clear of snow,
wet leaves and ice.
• Remove small throw rugs, or use double sided
tape to keep them from slipping.
• Move furniture so the path is clear.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Be aware of where pets are at all times.
• Check cords and wires - Coil or tape them next
to the wall so they cannot be tripped over.
• Store the most often items used for cooking
and cleaning within easy reach in cabinets
(Which is about waist high for your aging loved
one).
• Never use a chair as a step stool. Use a steady
step stool with a hand bar.
OUR CUSTOMIZED CARE
PROGRAMS
American Home Care Network offers caregiving
services for almost any family and practically
any situation. Our in-home care lets your loved
ones enjoy healthy lives in the comfort of a
familiar environment. We tailor our care to your
family’s unique situation through a custom care
program. These individualized care programs
include whatever your family needs from any
one of our care categories:
Companionship/Homemaking
Light housekeeping and meal preparation can
become frustrating tasks to those affected by
aging. American Home Care Network provides
assistance for numerous daily activities, as well
as basic peace-of-mind services:
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Safety supervision
Transportation
Socialization
Cognitive stimulation
Home monitoring
Cooking
Light housekeeping
Organization
Laundry services
Physical Assistance
For those suffering from the physical effects of
aging, American Home Care Network can help
throughout the day in a number of ways:
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Ambulatory assistance
Dressing
Positioning in chair or bed
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Transfer between bed and chair
Wheelchair assistance
Hygiene
As limitations evolve, basic hygiene can become
a challenge. No matter what level of assistance
your loved one needs, we can accommodate:
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Bathing and showering assistance
Bed baths
Grooming
Shaving with electric razor
Oral hygiene
Toilet and incontinent care
Wellness
Our caregivers can provide services that help
your loved one stave off or delay further effects
of aging, both physical and mental. We can help
foster wellness with services that include:
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Light exercise program development
Meal planning
Medication reminders
Safety supervision
Cognitive stimulation
Respite Care
Caring for a loved one can be very rewarding
but sometimes it is necessary to take a break.
Our respite care services provide peace-of-mind
that relatives are being well looked after while
caretakers take a much needed rest to
recharge. You can rest assured that we will take
the best care of your loved one.
ADULT CAREGIVING RESOURCE
LINKS
U.S. Government/Senior Citizens Resources
www.seniors.gov
Adult Caregiving Resource Links
United We Ride
www.unitedweride.gov
When caring for a loved one, there’s no
such thing as too much information.
Hopefully, these links can provide even
more information about caring for your
loved one and his or her specific needs.
Aging
American Society on Aging
www.asaging.org
National Council on Aging
www.ncoa.org
National Resource Center on Nutrition,
Physical Activity and Aging
nutritionandaging.fiu.edu
National Association of Area Agencies on
Aging
www.n4a.org
Caregiving
American Home Care Network, LLC
www.americanhomecarenetwork.com
Direct Care Alliance, Inc.
www.directcarealliance.org
National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care
Workforce
www.directcareclearinghouse.org
National family Caregivers Association
www.nfcacares.org
National Guardianship Association, Inc.
www.guardianship.org
National Private Duty Association
www.privatedutyhomecare.org
National Association of Professional
Geriatric Care Managers
www.caremanager.org
Third Age
www.thirdage.com
Government
Health/Medical
Administration on Aging
www.aoa.gov
Alzheimer’s Association
www.alz.org
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
www.cms.gov
American Association for Respiratory Care
www.aarc.org
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
National Parkinson Foundation
www.parkinson.org
American Diabetes Association
www.diabetes.org
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
www.hispanichealth.org
American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org
National Organization on Disability
www.nod.org
American Lung Association
www.lungusa.org
American Hospice foundation
www.americanhospice.org
American Stroke Association
www.strokeassociation.org
Alzheimer's Association
www.alz.org
800-272-3900
Information and support for people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. Operates
a 24/7 helpline and care navigator tools.
Alzheimers.gov
www.alzheimers.gov
The government's free information resource about Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias.
Medicare
www.medicare.gov/caregivers
800-Medicare
Provides information about the parts of Medicare, what's new and how to find Medicare
plans, facilities or providers.
The National Clearinghouse for Long-term Care Information
www.longtermcare.gov
Information and tools to plan for future long-term care needs.
Social Security Administration
www.socialsecurity.gov
800-772-1213
Information on retirement and disability benefits, including how to sign up.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program
www.shiptalk.org
A program that offers one-on-one insurance counseling and assistance to people with
Medicare and their families.
Veterans Administration
www.caregiver.va.gov
855-260-3274
Support and services for families caring for veterans. Maintains a VA caregiver support
line.