How to Discuss Home Care Options for an Elderly Parent

Discussing care at home with a family physician on behalf of your aging parents may prove challenging for various reasons. There is always the fear that one may get it wrong and lack the information on the kind of assistance that one’s parents require.

A family physician will enable you to assess how much care is needed and if home care services are suitable. This process becomes easy if you have prepared your questions ahead of time.

Start by Explaining the Current Situation

Start by mentioning the reasons that made you consider home care services.

Inform the doctor of all the problems that you have observed. This might include problems like difficulties in moving, taking medicines, cooking, cleanliness, and performing everyday tasks.

Do not just talk about the physical problems; rather, mention daily problems to give an idea about the kind of care your parents will need.

Ask What Kind of Help Is Needed

Home care can vary from one individual to another.

There are some elderly parents who may require help in doing their routine activities, while there are some who may need additional help due to illness or even post-surgery care.

Consult your doctor on how much care your elderly parent may require, and if they need any special caregivers or physiotherapists.

Discuss Daily Activities

List down the activities which your parents are finding tough to do.

Example includes:

• Bathing & Grooming
• Dressing
• Feeding
• Walking
• Bed to chair transfer
• Medication
• Bathroom use
• Preparation of food
• Appointments

This information will assist the doctor in determining the level of help needed at home.

Ask About Safety

Safety plays a vital role in the care of the elderly.

Find out if your parent’s existing environment poses any safety issues. These could be accidents, slippery floors, inadequate lighting, inappropriate furniture, and access to the bathroom.

The physician might recommend certain measures to ensure safety within the house.

Discuss Medication Management

Elders are bound to take multiple medications in a day. Coordinating the intake of different drugs can be quite difficult especially when the schedule is revised.

Consult the doctor to find out if your parent will require help in medication management.

Do not alter the dosage of any medicine without seeking professional advice.

Ask About Warning Signs

In case the patient will require home care, find out which changes must be reported to the physician.

Knowledge of symptoms and changes that occur can help family members react faster when they see changes in the patient.

You can also enquire about when the next check-up will take place.

Include Your Parent in the Conversation

If you can, try to include your parent in the decision process wherever possible. Home care should be focused on promoting independence rather than leaving an elder feeling powerless. Talk to him or her about preferences, habits, concerns, and comfort.

Prepare Questions in Advance

Before meeting with the physician, it is advisable to list your queries.

Some of the queries include:

• What kind of home care is required for the individual?
• How many hours of assistance are required?
• Do I need medical or non-medical care for my elderly parents?
• Are there any therapies that need to be done at home?
• What modifications can we make in the house?
• What signs indicate that we need to seek medical assistance?

Final Thoughts

Selecting home care services for your aging parents depends on their physical well-being, daily routines, safety, and comfort as well as their independence. This can be done through consultation with a physician who will offer advice on which level of assistance will suit them best. Swaasaa Healthcare offers home health care services aimed at enabling families to take care of their elderly parents from the comfort of their homes.