When is it time to get home healthcare assistance? How do I make that decision? And when? These are questions families struggle with as they attempt to balance a loved one’s changing needs with their own ability to provide ongoing care.
The decision to engage outside help is rarely easy. Bringing a new person into a settled life can initially result in anxiety, or perhaps even depression. The entire family often feels the impact, with emotions ranging from guilt and frustration to a sense of freedom and relief. What makes this decision and the subsequent changes in the environment easier is ensuring that the homecare provider is a match with your loved one’s needs and your family values. Compatibility in attitude and personality, in addition to caregiver skills, can enhance daily life. Equally important is creating a care plan that addresses your loved one’s unique personal requirements.
So, back to the original question: When is it time to get help? Sometimes the answer is obvious. A person has had surgery or a major illness and needs home-based rehabilitation or simply can’t be left alone for hours at a time. In recent years, there has been a push by insurance companies to limit the number of days people stay in the hospital. As a result, people leave “sicker and quicker” than they once did, and even otherwise capable adults may need short-term homecare.
Another indicator is a major change in mental status. Whether due to psychological issues, or one of the various forms of dementia, our loved ones can suffer changes in their ability to perceive and interact with the world. Hallucinations and delusions are, for example, symptoms of certain stages in Alzheimer’s disease. Home healthcare can provide a safety net for the person affected and relieve the burden of family members who can provide only so much care within the context of their own lives.
Frequent falling is another signal. If a person has a number of falls a physician can order an assessment for fall prevention. This may lead to rehabilitation or other treatment. Home-based services can help with mobility and safety on a consistent basis.
Overall, be on the alert for deterioration in the activities of daily living. These are the things we normally take for granted in an adult: bathing, dressing, cooking, eating, etc. If you live with the loved one, or have frequent contact, you will likely notice when problems develop. If you only see this person occasionally, it can be more difficult to determine if the decline is serious enough to get help. Here’s what to look for:
- Decline in hygiene
- Clothes aren’t matched or put on correctly
- Requires assistance with housework
- Shopping needs are not being met, especially groceries
- Difficulty keeping track of the time of day, month, year, etc.
- Disinterest in food; decrease in dietary intake
- Medications not taken on regular basis
- Forgetful of regularly scheduled appointments
- Requires assistance walking or getting out of bed
- Requires toileting assistance
The decline in these activities is usually a gradual process and a spouse or other family member accommodates for the decline more and more over time, until they’re providing fulltime care. A homecare service can offer relief for that person before it becomes unmanageable.
When is it time to get help? The final answer is really a simple one: the right time is when a person needs more help than they can provide for themselves or their family can provide for them.
Short-term recovery from illness or surgery, stabilization of a critical health issue, intervention in a medical crisis, decline in mental and physical ability, or end-of-life issues can all be driving factors in choosing to get help.
New England Nightingales’ experts in dementia care perform in-home evaluation for each client and create a treatment plan appropriate for that person, ensuring appropriate and individualized care. Cynthia Ebanks is a registered nurse specializing in dementia care. She is certified by Alzheimer Foundation of America as a qualified dementia care specialist, certified in case management and is a disability management specialist. She can be reached at 860-676-7786 or www.newenglandnightingales.com