1. Know your community resources. Ask at your local hospital, senior centers, alzheimers association, etc and learn what services are available to you. Case managers can direct you to services as well as help manage medical care.
2. Talk to your health professional. Your physician can better advise you if he/she knows what challenges you are facing. Some physicians treat mainly older patients and some, such as geriatricians, have special training to work with the older population. They can be a good resource for you.
3. Think safety in the home. If your loved one has difficulty walking, you’ll want to consider removing scatter rugs and any other trip hazards, adding grab bars in the shower, clearing clutter and furniture to make walking safer, replacing steps with a ramp, provide a flashlight by the bed for nighttime trips to the bathroom, providing a phone within easy reach, and providing an alert system in case of a fall or medical emergency.
4. Obtain products that help maximize independence. Many products are available to help make activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, walking, taking medication and so forth easier and safer. While medical supply stores and websites provide the items, physical and occupational therapists are the equipment specialists. PTs and OTs offer an evaluation of your loved one and recommend which products provide the best solution for the physical impairment. Ask your doctor for a physical or occupational therapy evaluation so you get the right equipment the 1st time and save yourself headaches down the road.
5. Look for signs of decline. If your family member is having more difficulty with walking, getting up from a chair or bed, dressing, balancing, and such, ask your physician to order physical therapy. Physical therapists specialize in helping people regain lost function. Keeping a weekly journal can help you keep track of gradual changes and know when you need to do something about it. Don’t wait until the problem is so severe that a fall at home causes a serious injury.
6. Check medication needs. Is your family member able to safely and accurately take their medications or is it time to intervene with you or someone else giving out the medications?
7. Check if they are eating properly. If they live alone, are they able to prepare meals adequately for themselves or get to the grocery store or have someone to go for them. Are they eating healthy meals and eating enough? Getting a weight check once a week can help answer this question.
8. Bring socialization, spirituality, and sensory stimulation into the home. If your loved one has lost the ability to get out in the community and enjoy the things they use to, think about bringing them into the home. Perhaps their church offers home visits. Music can be included in the daily routine. Or, they might enjoy aromatherapy with scented candles.
9. Legal considerations. It’s important to have a legal will to carry out the wishes of your family member. It’s also important to have a power of attorney when the time comes. This will allow you to make the legal and financial decisions when your loved one no longer can. A living will allows your family member to indicate whether they want extraordinary measures taken in difficult medical situations.
10. Don’t ask, just do it. Often your loved one perceives themselves as being a burden, so that if you ask them if they want something, they may say no. We recommend that when you want to do something to make their day better, just do it.
