Whether it’s a nagging feeling that bothers you after a visit or a comment or action that made you wonder if something is wrong, it might not be at first obvious that a loved one needs support at home to stay safe and sound.
If you’ve been wondering but don’t know where to start, A-Abiding Care, which provides home care services in the Chicago area, can help. A-Abiding Care is encouraging seniors and their families to regularly take a good look at their circumstances, to see if anything has changed that may indicate that extra help is needed. Securing professional in-home care assistance when the first warning signs surface, rather than waiting until there is an urgent need, will help to ensure that loved ones can age in place longer, rather than facing a move.
If you or a loved one has made the decision to age in place and receive in-home care, the next step is to assess the level of care required. There is a classic assessment test called the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, developed to help professional caregivers assess the level of assistance needed in the home; however, here is a list of some of the main daily activities that anyone can use to help determine their in-home care needs.
- Ability to use a telephone: This is an important function for seniors in the event of an emergency. If the senior can operate a phone, look up phone numbers, and dial a few well-known numbers, he or she may not need assistance in this area. However, if the senior can only answer the phone, but not dial, or cannot use a phone at all, this is an area where assistance is needed.
- Shopping: Depending on mobility, some seniors may be able to shop for themselves, while others may need accompaniment to the store or to have their shopping done by a caregiver.
- Food preparation: Proper nutrition is important for aging seniors, and you may find that your loved ones are not maintaining an adequate diet from the meals they prepare for themselves. If this is the case, they may need assistance with food preparation.
- Housekeeping: Daily household chores can be daunting for frail seniors. This is an area where many home care clients require assistance to help maintain upkeep of their homes.
- Medication responsibilities: A certain amount of memory loss is common with aging, so many seniors feel the need to receive medication reminders. For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, this assistance is particularly important.
If any of these areas – or others – are causing you concern, contact A-Abiding Care so our trained staff can perform an in-home assessment and give you recommendations on the best options for you and your loved one for home care services in the Chicago area. Our staff can provide daily help for everyday tasks, such as light housekeeping, meals, shopping, and transportation. Our qualified nurses can also provide assistance with medical care, such as taking medications or caring for medical issues such as wound care, blood pressure monitoring, and more. If your loved one is in the Chicago area, contact us today at 847-698-1400. We’d love to provide your care solution.
Our professional caregivers offer a wide variety of home care services to meet your loved one’s unique and individual needs, including:
In-Home Care
Hospital-to-Home Transitional Care
Specialized Senior Home Care
Assistance Services
A-Abiding Care, Inc. was founded in 1983 by Joyce Kernan – a registered nurse and pioneer in the field of home care – on the principles of showing clients kindness and respect while providing loving, compassionate care for seniors at home. Today, Joyce’s family, along with our loyal staff, continue her legacy and mission; to provide quality home care for seniors in the Chicago area and provide meaningful employment for many caregivers, nurses and administrative staff.
I feel honored to care for our community members and to be a part of their lives in a meaningful, lasting way.
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