As he gets older, your dad relies more on you than in the past. You want to ensure that he has the help he needs to maintain his independence while aging. What should you do?
Heighten Safety in His Home
Firstly, is your dad’s home likely to be more of a safety issue? If he has outside stairs to the sidewalk and front door, are they well-lit? Do they have rails that are secure, not splintering, and hard to hold?
Is his carpeting old and worn or newer? If it’s old, then are the seams coming loose? If he caught a toe on a loose seam, he could trip and fall.
Head into the bathroom? Are grab bars installed near the toilet, and both on the outside and inside walls near a bath and shower.? They should be anchored to studs, not the sheetrock. Is the water heater set to 120 F to keep your dad from scalding his skin?
Does your dad have a step ladder with handles he can hold while changing a lightbulb or getting an item from a cabinet? Consider moving his regularly used appliances to a lower position or leaving them on the counter.
Have an Honest Conversation
Secondly, talk to your dad and other close family members about your dad’s daily routine. The goal is to pinpoint what he needs help doing throughout the week. Where is he confident and where does he struggle?
Build a list of the things he needs help completing each day, every few days, and each month. If he can’t drive, he’ll need someone to help him get to stores and pharmacies. Can he cook meals still, or does he rely heavily on takeout and frozen dinners?
Consider his ability to remember to take his medications each day. Can he carry the vacuum around? How well does he sweep his floors and mop them? Does your dad still do his laundry, or is he scared to go down the stairs while carrying a laundry basket?
How Social Is He?
Is your dad social, or does he stay home alone all week, every week? If he’s not socializing, it jeopardizes his physical and mental health. He doesn’t have to be a social butterfly, but he should spend time with others each week. An in-home care service like companion care is helpful.
Can He Get Out of the House?
When your dad feels cooped up or has errands to run, is anyone available to help him run errands? If he can’t drive, he needs someone available to drive him to stores, pharmacies, and medical offices.
If he cannot shop on his own, make sure someone is free to join him on shopping trips. Then he’ll want someone who can help him complete the purchase at the register, read labels, and load his car with his purchases. Back at home, he needs help carrying them inside and putting everything away.
In-home care services support your dad through help around the home and while out running errands. He also has companionship from his in-home care aides. Learn more about these services and pricing by completing the online form or calling.
Aviva In-Home Care provides compassionate and skilled in-home care. We are the Bay Area’s premier provider of in-home care services.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional In-Home Care in Palo Alto, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
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