People are like snowflakes; no two are the same. When you begin your research into in-home care for an elderly loved one, it’s important to remember that there isn’t a uniform approach for care, and the type of care your loved one needs today may not be the type of care he needs next month, next year, or even tomorrow. Each person’s situation is unique, and it’s important for families caring for senior loved ones to be flexible and know that care needs will change over time, sometimes frequently and/or unexpectedly.
At Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, we find that the best way to tailor services to each individual person is through a geriatric care assessment to evaluate a number of factors to determine what types of home care services are needed for an older adult.
Geriatric care assessments are designed to:
- Evaluate all of the issues and challenges that a senior is experiencing, such as health issues, mobility challenges, transportation issues, bathing and grooming issues, etc.
- Develop coordinated care plans to focus on interventions for identified issues
- Assess an older adult’s access to support that can help him or her live at home
- Determine care needs and the frequency of care that should be provided
The information gathered in a geriatric care assessment is vital for the quality of the senior’s care and his quality of life. Once a geriatric care assessment is complete, the home care agency can develop a comprehensive plan of care that can lead to:
- Improving health outcomes
- Postponing the onset of disability
- Recognizing health changes before they become acute
- Improving quality of life
- Saving on healthcare costs
- Identifying rehabilitation needs
- Planning services to increase safety
- Discovering early-stage disease
- Determining a senior’s ability to care for himself or herself
- Identifying and correcting fall risks
During a geriatric care assessment, a home care provider should also take the time to get to know the senior for whom they will be providing care. The care recipient’s life history, likes and dislikes are all important aspects of the care plan that need to be evaluated and taken into account. Care should also be taken to get to know the senior’s family better. Understanding family dynamics, personal history, hobbies and interests and more can all help home care providers individualize the care they provide for the unique people they serve.
At Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, we believe that thorough geriatric care assessments lead to stronger relationships between our clients and their caregivers, overall higher quality care, and increased client satisfaction. Contact us today to learn more about our DuPage County area in-home care services, our assessment process, or to schedule a free in-home care assessment for your loved one.