Managing Home Senior Care.

Most of us want to live out our days in familiar surroundings with the people and thing we love surrounding us. Caring for a loved one at home can be a time consuming and emotionally taxing endeavor. Most families choose home care over nursing home arrangements as the best alternative.

Depending on the physical condition, the daily needs and emotional state of the person, home care is a very good choice and one that provides your family member with the ability to continue with as little disruption as possible to their daily life.This can often be manageable with minimal change in the usual daily routine. As the persons condition improves or declines adjustments can be made that meet the needs of the individual as well as the caregiver.

It is generally the responsibility of the caregiver/s to do their homework. There is a wealth of information online about different choices you will be needing to consider. Most families prefer in the beginning to take care of their loved one themself. This arrangement is dependent on the amount of care necessary, the financial situation, and the willingness or stamina of the caregivers.

The first thing to consider is the wishes of the individual. It is their right to choose how they will live. This is a good point to consider the fact that, this stage of life offers one little in the way of choices. As we age our right to choose becomes less with the decline of our abilities. In respect of your loved ones happiness and comfort, they should be given the right to choose from the options available to them.

After making a decision of location of care you will want to make any adjustments to the physical surroundings. The home should be made safe and measures taken to provide a more manageable environment. An aged parent may be able to manage with only minimal care and emotional support if this is handled properly

Assessing the feasibility of home care is an important factor in making a decision. To be considered are issues such as; the physical structure and layout

1. Is it a one story home?
2. are there stairs to be managed?
3. are repairs up to date?
4. Are appliances accessible and easy to use?
5. are doorways wide enough for wheelchair access?
6. Are there wheelchair ramps outside where necessary?
7. Type of flooring, highly polished floors are not recommended.
8. Is flooring intact, no loose tiles or area rugs to create falling hazards
9. Is bathroom equipped with suficient grab bars
10. Bedroom should have only necessary furniture and the bed should be easily accessible.
11. If necessary supply a bedside commode for easy night time use. Many falls occur in the bathroom.
12. Is lighting adequate with no cords obstructing walkways

You may want to simply observe your loved one to access their capabilities. Spend a day or two watching them go about their tasks and assist where needed only. This will give you an accurate idea of how much assistance they will need. Much of what is necessary might be simple moral support and concern.

With time an individual is going to decline and their capabilities will lessen. A periodic assessment and observation is advisable. Sudden illness may hasten their need for more care. It is advisable to make adjustments in care plan when the need arises. Many hospitals and rehabilitation centers, depending on the condition of the patient, will not release them to home care unless you can prove ability to provide proper care in the home setting.

The choice to have an ailing parent live with you is a difficult one. It should be considered a choice of last resort and must be considered with all family members participating in the decision. The parent generally would prefer to stay in their own home and resentments can arise if this becomes impossible. Further there may be resentment on the part of family members because of the strain this situation puts on everyone. An open communication must be maintained and concern for each others feelings will do much to better your chances of this situation working.

You may find that after a time you or other family members providing care, can not continue to assist with care. Being a caegiver is a highly demanding and stressful job even in the best of circumstances. It is understandable that there is a limit to how much family can be expected to do.

There are many alternatives to asist the main caregiver that will give you some needed rest and lessen the stress that comes with daily care of a loved one. The use of respite care, part time caregivers, bathing services, housekeeping service, hospice visits etc; can all be incorporated into your care schedule to give the regular caregivers some time off.

I will cover some alternatives available in Hub- "Alternatives in Senior Health Care"