If you have an elderly parent or loved one who is starting to require a little extra help with their day-to-day routine, then having a home care plan can help relieve stress for both your loved one and the entire family. A care plan can either be for a short-term need, for example, while your loved one is recovering from surgery, or a longer-term need if their health has been compromised.
What is a home care plan?
Simply put, a home care plan is a document that outlines the care that your loved one needs and coordinates the aspects of that care, whether it involves family members, professional caregivers, etc. It helps everyone understand their role and ensure that your loved one gets the care they need when they need it.
How to develop a home care plan
While you may already have an informal plan for your loved one, if you find that your loved one is starting to require more care than you can provide, you may need to have a plan developed by a professional.
Professional home care services such as VERA Home Care can perform an in-home assessment to help identify your loved one’s needs, whether related to their physical health or support for their mental and emotional well-being.
Involving your loved one in their care plan
Involving your loved ones in their care plan (if they are able) is a critical component of helping to preserve their independence and dignity.
As much as possible, it is important to respect the opinions and wishes of your loved one.
What factors should be considered when developing a home care plan?
When a home care professional works with you to develop a care plan, some of the things that they take into consideration are:
- The physical and mental health of your loved one
- The medical assistance (help with medication, dressing, bathing, etc.) that your loved one may need
- The daily living assistance (cleaning, meal prep, etc.) that your loved one may need
- Any accessibility issues within the home
- Assistive devices that your loved one requires (wheelchairs, lifts, etc.)
- Other caregivers who are helping your loved one (friends and family)
- Whether services are required short-term or long-term
- What activities your loved one participates in that they would like to keep up (attending religious services, visits with friends, activities at a seniors centre, etc.)
Once we understand the needs of your loved one, we will work together to find the best possible match in a caregiver.
Contact VERA Home Care today
While developing a formal home care plan may seem daunting at first, it is one of the best ways to ensure that your elderly loved one is getting all the care they need.
Call us today to learn more!