Has your family ever asked your dad what his goals are when it comes to aging? Does he want to stay where he is? What family health issues have appeared through the generations? All of this can make it harder for him to age at home unless he has help from others, like elder care providers.
Start By Talking About His Health
If there are family health conditions that have impacted several generations, the odds are high that your dad will also face them. Heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, dementia, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity are just a few of the health issues that can be genetic. But, they don’t have to be.
If your dad is at a higher risk, he needs to discuss it with his doctors. You should be aware of it for your own health, too. Get screened as often as is advised. If your dad is found to have a health issue, be proactive about getting early treatments.
This may mean your dad has more frequent doctor’s check-ups. Make sure he attends them. He may need to change his diet. Make sure that happens. Work with elder care services to ensure your dad never has to struggle to complete his daily routines.
What Does Elder Care Do?
Have you ever looked at what elder care services are? Professional caregivers can help with a variety of tasks found on lists of ADLs and IADLs. What are ADLs and IADLs? Take a closer look.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
ADLs are the things people need to manage their physical needs. They include:
- Ambulation – Standing up, sitting down, and walking around
- Continence – Holding urine or bowel movements until seated on a toilet
- Feeding – Getting food to the mouth, chewing, and swallowing
- Meals – Planning a menu, shopping for groceries, and preparing/cooking meals and snacks
- Personal Hygiene – Bathing, washing hands, oral care, nail care, and hair care
- Toileting – Using the toilet and cleaning up after
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
IADLs are a little more specific and require cognitive skills like planning, organizing, and critical thinking.
- Driving/Transportation – Using a car or arranging transportation to get from point A to point B
- Finances – Managing money and paying bills on time
- Housekeeping – Cleaning and organizing the home and doing laundry
- Medication Management – Taking prescriptions and arranging refills as needed
When any of those activities become a challenge, it’s time to address the need for care. Your dad may want you to help him, but don’t be upset if he makes it clear he doesn’t want to rely on his children. Many older adults dread becoming a burden to their kids. This is where elder care services are helpful.
Elder care is an excellent way to age at home without jeopardizing safety or independence. Gather a list of questions during a family meeting and then talk to an elder care expert to get answers, learn more about arranging the right services, and get prices.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Castle Rock, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Parker. 303-953-9924
