How to Evaluate Your Loved One for Senior Care

Sometimes your loved one’s need for help is sudden; one day, they wake up, and they seem confused and may not know where they are. However, most of the time, your loved one’s change is gradual.  They slowly forget to pay the bills or they miss medical appointments.  How do you know if they need a higher level of care?  If you live in Maryland’s Capital Area and you’re wondering how to evaluate your loved one for senior care, you don’t have to do it alone. Contact HomeCentris of Maryland’s Capital Area for our expert advice for the world of senior healthcare.

How To Evaluate Your Loved One

One of the critical first steps, when you’re wondering how to evaluate your loved one for senior care, is to talk to them and the people around them. Ask questions, such as:

  • Do they forget things more often?
  • Are they eating enough?
  • Are there safety issues around the house?
  • Can they still dress, bathe, and cook by themselves, or do they need help?
  • Do they often get out of the house?
  • Do they ever have visitors?
  • Have they noticed significant changes in their condition?
  • Are they able to manage their medications?
  • Have they fallen more often, or do they have trouble taking the stairs?
  • Can they still drive safely?
  • Is their home clean?
  • Are their finances okay?

None of these questions can determine your parent’s mental and physical capabilities by themselves, but put together, they can paint a vivid picture. If this picture worries you, it may be time to bring in a professional.woman with cake

What Level of Care Does Your Parent Need? 

There are several levels of senior care. The first level, in-home care services, is for seniors who need a helping hand to get through the day. These services are called the “activities of daily living” and can be simple, like making sure your parent is taking their medication at the appropriate times. Other in-home care services include:

  • Meal preparation
  • Transportation
  • Cleaning

In addition, in-home care can be beneficial if your parent often feels lonely during the day. They have the companionship that they lacked through this service.

If your parent needs specific medical care, a skilled nurse may need to come into play. Making sure that your parent gets the attention and medical knowledge they need can be critical for their well-being.

If your parent needs more intensive care, it may be time to seek out an assisted living facility. In an assisted living facility, your parent will have around the clock attention. Moreover, they can live in a community of people their age, so they always have a friend to lean on.

Get Professional Help Today

If you’re still wondering how to evaluate your loved one, you may want to give that job to a professional.  At HomeCentris – Capital Area, we can help you evaluate your loved one’s needs. Additionally, we can provide some of the services they may need, including:

To learn more about how to evaluate your loved one for senior care, or to get more information about our services, call 301-850-6824 today.