List of Home Care Services: Assessing Your Needs

How to assess if you need a 24/7 home care plan.

You can follow the steps below and download our checklist. This goes to say that the more checks you have on our list/questions, then the more that you need a 24/7 care plan.

Step 1: Assess Healthcare Needs
Before going to our list, you first need to schedule a consultation with the patient’s primary healthcare provider for a comprehensive medical evaluation. You need to identify specific health conditions or limitations that require professional attention. You can also ask them how you can best determine the level of assistance needed for daily living activities.

Step 2: See our list of home care services and see how many items you’ve checked.

Step 3: Research and Select Service Providers

First you need to look for accredited and reputable home care agencies. Read their reviews and ask for recommendations from trusted sources and make sure to ask if they meet your standards and expectations and choose one that could best give you a customized plan for your specific schedule plan, budget and ask them if they can provide you the things that you’ve checked on the form we created.

Step 4: Look into the different financing options.

There are a number of way that you can finance  a 24/7 home care plan. But most people opt for private in-home care for the elderly  as it can provide the best flexibility for payment, and can provide timely provision of care for your loved ones (due to non complicated procedures or eligibilities) and preserves financial wealth for both the patient and the one taking care of them.

If you’re wondering, Medicare won’t cover:

• Care in your home all day and night
• Food delivery to your home
• Help with household tasks such as shopping and cleaning, unless it’s part of your medical care plan
• Help with personal care like bathing, dressing, or using the restroom, if that’s the only help you need

Also, you can’t get home health benefits from Medicare if you need a nurse more often than just now and then. However, it’s okay to leave your home for medical appointments or short trips for non-medical reasons, like going to church. And, you’re still eligible for home health care if you go to an adult day care center.

This is why most people needing 24/7 home care services opts to pay out of pockets as it can be more flexible in terms of scheduling days, payment option (some offer credit and debit options).

List of Home Care Services for Assessing the Need for 24/7 Home Care Services

Assessing the need for around-the-clock home care involves a detailed examination of the individual’s health, daily living needs, cognitive status, emotional well-being, and the overall safety of their living environment. This extended checklist includes additional considerations to ensure a thorough evaluation.

In addition to personal care, 24-hour home health services offer expert medical assistance to manage complex health conditions and ensure ongoing well-being.

• Monitoring Vital Signs: Regular checks of vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are essential for early detection of any health issues. Caregivers monitor these vital signs diligently, especially for individuals with medical conditions requiring close attention.
  Read: Why Normal Vital Signs For Older Adults Varies And How To Manage It. | Correct Choice Home Care
• Wound Care: For those with wounds or injuries, proper care is vital for healing and preventing infections. Caregivers are trained to perform dressing changes, clean wounds, and monitor for any signs of complications, ensuring optimal recovery.
• Physical Therapy Exercises: Staying active is key to maintaining mobility and independence. Caregivers assist with prescribed exercises or routines, encouraging individuals to stay engaged in their physical therapy programs.
• Chronic Condition Management: Managing chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis requires ongoing support and monitoring. Caregivers provide assistance with medical equipment, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications to help individuals manage their conditions effectively.
• Engagement and Activities: Caregivers provide companionship and stimulation through meaningful activities and conversations, enriching the lives of individuals under their care.
• Emotional Support: A compassionate presence can make all the difference in times of loneliness or anxiety. Caregivers offer empathy, encouragement, and a listening ear to alleviate emotional distress and promote mental well-being.
• Social Interaction: Maintaining connections with friends and family is essential for emotional health. Caregivers facilitate social interactions, arranging visits and outings to ensure that individuals remain connected to their support networks.
• Light Housekeeping: Keeping the home tidy and organized contributes to a safe and comfortable environment. Caregivers assist with light chores such as laundry, dishes, and tidying up living spaces, ensuring a clean and pleasant living environment.
• Shopping and Errands: Running errands and grocery shopping can be challenging for individuals with limited mobility. Caregivers step in to handle these tasks, ensuring that essentials are always stocked and readily available.
• Transportation: Getting to medical appointments or running necessary errands is made easier with caregiver assistance. Whether it’s arranging transportation or accompanying individuals on outings, caregivers ensure that they can access the resources they need.
• Regular Updates: Families are kept informed about their loved one’s condition, progress, and any concerns that may arise. Open communication ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding the individual’s care plan.
• Respite Care: Caring for a loved one can be physically and emotionally demanding. Caregivers offer respite care, stepping in to provide relief to family caregivers and prevent burnout.

Adding to this list of home care services are some other points you might want to think about that can help you realize that you really need a 24 hour in home care for your beloved elderly:

Understanding the Individual’s Medical Conditions

• Is there a need for specialized care such as wound care, intravenous therapy, or ventilator care?
• Does the individual experience difficulty in managing pain effectively?
• Are there signs of significant weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition that require monitoring?
• Do they have geriatric illness that requires special management (Alzheimer’s, dementia, glaucoma)
• Are they currently recovering from an injury, surgery or needs post-hospitalization care or transitional care?

Evaluating Daily Living Activities

• Has there been a noticeable decline in personal hygiene or appearance?
• Is the individual unable to safely use the bathroom independently, including nighttime needs?
• Are there challenges in mobility that require assistance with transferring (e.g., from bed to wheelchair)?
• Do they need someone to come over every now and then to help out with home management?

Assessing Cognitive Health

• Are there difficulties in recognizing family members or familiar people, leading to distress or agitation?
• Does the individual exhibit unsafe behaviors, such as attempting to operate vehicles or machinery?
• Is there a need for constant reminders or supervision to engage in basic daily activities?

Social and Emotional Considerations

• Does the individual have a history of social withdrawal or isolation that has worsened over time?
• Are there expressed fears or anxieties about being left alone for any period of time?
• Has the individual lost interest in previously enjoyed activities or hobbies?

Safety and Home Environment Assessment

• Have there been recent incidents of falls, burns, or other injuries due to unsupervised accidents?
• Is there evidence of unattended home maintenance issues posing additional risks (e.g., broken appliances, leaks)?
• Are pets in the home not being cared for properly due to the individual’s limitations?

Financial Considerations

• Have you consulted with a financial advisor or eldercare planner to understand long-term care funding options?
• Is there a plan in place for managing the individual’s finances should their cognitive abilities decline further?

Caregiver Impact

• Is there a sense of guilt or conflict among family members regarding caregiving responsibilities?
• Have family caregivers missed significant amounts of work or experienced career setbacks?
• Are there signs of emotional detachment or resentment building within the caregiving relationship?

Exploring Home Care Options

• Have you researched the qualifications, training, and background checks of potential home care providers?
• Is there a clear understanding of the types of services offered (medical vs. non-medical) and how they align with the individual’s needs?
• Have you discussed with the individual (if possible) their preferences regarding home care to respect their autonomy and wishes?

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Are all necessary legal documents (e.g., power of attorney, advance directives) up to date and accessible?
• Have you consulted with an elder law attorney to understand the legal implications of long-term care decisions?
• Is there a plan in place for making decisions on behalf of the individual if they become unable to do so themselves?

This list of home care services is designed to cover a wide range of considerations when assessing the need for 24/7 home care. It’s important to approach this decision-making process with sensitivity, thoroughness, and an open dialogue among all involved parties.

If you think you need a 24/7 in-home caregiver, Correct Choice Home Care offers customized plans according to your situation and needs. You can get a quote or reach us at the following:

Phone Number: (267) 323-1700
Email: contact@correctchoicehomecare.com