Watching the decline of a loved one as they age can be difficult. And when physical and mental ability starts to deteriorate, you may be facing decisions related to your senior’s independence. Here are some guidelines to help you decide if and when your senior requires a live-in caregiver.
Mobility
Maintaining mobility is a key factor in your loved one’s capacity to remain independent. Science Daily cites studies in the United Kingdom which reviewed the correlation between activity levels of seniors and their ability to age in place.
These scientists found that, “Mobility is hugely important in terms of older people being able to remain independent… Reduced mobility can restrict a person’s social life as well as limit their access to shops, leisure and other activities. People fear not being able to look after themselves and being a burden on others. Often a cause of this dependence is a decline in mobility.”
Using sensor technology, they assessed seniors and found those who stayed active and spent less time sitting, especially early in the day, tend to have the healthiest lifestyle patterns overall.
Options
Studies suggest that virtually all seniors want to age at home, and also almost all require assistance from informal caregivers. Despite these unanimous desires to age at home with informal help, there exists a wide range of senior services available, depending on the needs of the seniors in your life. Most informal caregivers are family members, and often with modifications to homes this is a viable option.
Another option is to hire live-in care to remain at home or in assisted living. Sometimes housing options that include paid caregiving allow seniors to remain in a community and provide them independence, as opposed to moving to a full-care nursing home facility.
Researchers found that many seniors can age in place with relatively modest interventions, so it’s important to assess a senior’s abilities and living situations carefully. With monitoring and some modifications, your senior may be able to remain at home for some time.
Assessment
It’s important to understand that aging occurs progressively. Your loved one may need minor modifications now but those modifications may be insufficient in just a couple years. If you intend to make all necessary modifications for aging in place in a single project, a thorough evaluation is necessary.
Discuss with your loved one’s physician the physical status of your senior and projection of needs. You may find it beneficial to enlist the assistance of an occupational therapist in making the evaluation. Medicare sometimes will pay for this assessment and the option should be discussed when talking with your senior’s primary care physician.
Home Modifications
Your loved one may need home modifications in order to remain more independent. There are many options for improving accessibility. Experts make these suggestions:
- Grab bars and rails, especially in bathrooms
- Large light switches
- Levers in place of doorknobs and faucet handles
- Digital thermostats with large displays and remote or voice command options
- Computer equipment with large screens and keyboards
- Additional and brighter lighting
- Security systems and personal emergency response systems
- Walk-in bathtubs and shower seats
- Widened doorways with flat thresholds
- Smooth flooring
Live-in Assistance
Even with home modifications, some seniors require live-in assistance in order to remain at home. Informal caregivers typically have many responsibilities, and as a senior’s health and mobility decline, trained professionals are often required to assist with housekeeping and medical needs.
The Family Caregiver Alliance explains that hiring a caregiver relieves you of a substantial burden and can provide trained assistance to your loved one. In deciding whether it’s time to hire help, consider your senior’s competence in the realms of personal care and hygiene, tending to the household, medical needs, and emotional needs. Online assessment tools can help you evaluate whether the time is ripe for making this change.
Mobility, Modifications, and Assistance
As your loved one ages, you’re likely to face a number of difficult decisions. With careful evaluation of your senior’s mobility, you can help your loved one to age in place. Explore their options and assess their needs. Modifications can be made to homes and, when necessary, live-in caregivers provide qualified assistance. Staying proactive with your senior will ensure they age in place the best way possible.
June is the primary caregiver to her 85-year-old mom and the co-creator of Rise Up for Caregivers, which offers support for family members and friends who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. She is passionate about helping and supporting other caregivers and is currently writing a book titled, The Complete Guide to Caregiving, due out in Winter 2018.
