Your dad’s dream has been to spend the rest of her life in his current home. As he gets older, it gets harder for him to be fully independent. He needs help, but how do you decide what assistance is necessary? Have you looked at a list of ADLs and IADLs? They’re one of the best ways to create a care plan that supports his goals of staying independent and the types of home care services that may be needed.
ADLs and IADLs Defined
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are defined as tasks required to manage your basic needs. They include:
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Home Care Plum Boro PA – ADLs and IADLs – How Do They Help Establish a Care Plan?
Ambulation – Being able to get out of bed, stand after sitting, and walk around unaided.
- Continence – Recognizing the signs that you need to use the toilet and getting to the toilet on time.
- Dressing – Being able to choose an appropriate outfit for the weather and get dressed correctly.
- Feeding – Being able to use a fork, spoon, and knife in order to get food items to your mouth, and chewing and swallowing those foods.
- Personal Hygiene – Being able to take a shower or bath, shave as needed, care for the skin and nails, and brush and floss the teeth.
- Toileting – Being able to get to the toilet, sit down on it, use the toilet, clean up after, stand back up, and pull pants back up.
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are defined as more intensive tasks that allow you to live independently.
- Cleaning – Being able to clean the home, wash dishes, change sheets regularly, gather dirty items, and do the laundry.
- Cooking – Being able to plan a menu, gather ingredients, and prepare a meal or snack.
- Financial Matters – Knowing how to check bank accounts, pay bills on time, move funds around, deposit checks, research insurance rates, and verify the amount due on bills and invoices.
- Medication Management – Being able to take medications on time, keep track of pill counts, and order refills before running out.
- Scheduling – Being able to keep track of appointments, schedule appointments when it’s time, and cancel appointments when necessary.
- Transportation – Being able to drive a car or arrange a ride, run errands, shop for items, and get to appointments on time.
You can use these to determine how much care your dad needs. From there, you’ll have a care plan you and others can follow each day.
Use Those Tasks to Build a Care Plan
Once you know exactly what your dad needs help with, see who is available to help him with these ADLs and IADLs. People may not have the time needed to help out. Some may be uneasy with the idea of being a family caregiver. This happens and isn’t something to get upset over.
As you get a better picture of when your dad needs help and when he doesn’t set up home care aides to cover the gaps. Home care offers all of the services he needs to maintain his independence at home.
If you or a loved one are considering Home Care Services in Plum Boro PA, please call and talk to the caring staff at Extended Family Care of Pittsburgh at (412) 693-6009. We will answer all of your questions.
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