Age-related diseases, progressive illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease and rehabilitation after medical procedures make it difficult for older adults to do daily living activities. In general, these activities include:

• Bathing
• Brushing and flossing teeth
• Grooming
• Choosing the right clothes to wear
• Getting dressed
• Preparing and eating meals
• Walking

Being able to do these tasks is necessary for survival, so being unable to do them reduces the quality of life for older adults. Having personalized daily living care plans can maintain their well-being and keep them safe. As primary caregivers of loved ones, creating these plans involves organization, collaboration, and planning. Implement these three steps, and learn where to look for help if you need it.

1. Examine the Current Situation

Gathering information and addressing current problems are the first steps in creating daily living care plans. It’s crucial to take into account every aspect of older adults’ lives. Review their daily activities, home environments, health status, and financial situations. While they might think that this is an invasion of privacy, getting a clear picture of their situations and involving them in the process is vital for ensuring that they’re cared for properly.

2. Evaluate Your Skills as Primary Caregivers

As the primary caregivers for loved ones, your inaction or action significantly impacts if your plans are successful. You should evaluate your schedule to ensure that you can dedicate the required amount of time to care for older adults.

Also, assess whether you have the emotional and physical skills to provide that care. If your loved ones will rely on you for heavy lifting, for instance, their safety hinges on your ability to do that. If you struggle with anxiety, depression or anger, you might not have the right disposition to care for others who need patience and compassion at every turn.

In addition, consider the financial implications of caring for your loved ones. You’ll be responsible for providing the best care possible and identifying where they need additional resources. Make sure that you can handle that before you take on the primary caregiver position.

3. Identify Needs to Fill Gaps in Care

Knowing exactly what your loved ones need is essential to creating daily living care plans, and it can help you determine where care is lacking so that you can fill in the gaps. Make a list of everything that your loved ones need assistance doing each day, placing the priorities at the top. You can do the same with the concerns or shortcomings that you see in their care as well.

Even if you don’t find gaps in your loved ones’ daily care, consider setting goals for their well-being and quality of life. For example, maybe you want them to be safer at home while you’re not there. This goal conveys your interest in helping them thrive. Include any goals that your loved ones have for the future too.

Use Caring Home Care to Find Professional Caregivers

There could be times when you need a break from caregiving, or perhaps you don’t have the emotional and physical skills necessary to be primary caregivers. In either case, you can get professional help through Caring Home Care. From assisting with daily living activities to providing live-in care, we are here to support your family.