Your loved one might also lack motivation, have a loss of interest in activities, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, often due to isolation and loneliness, irritability or exhibiting erratic behavior.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (PRWEB) May 01, 2018
Many families are called upon today to make crucial decisions for their elderly parents. Sometimes it is difficult knowing whether the behaviors of the elderly person are attributed to the normal aging process or a potential problem. Here are some of the indicators that show intervention is needed. These include signs of forgetfulness that can lead to potentially harmful situations: leaving the burners on, forgetting to take their medications, getting days and nights mixed up, staying in bed longer than normal, not eating, frequent falls (medical/cognitive), a significant decline in taking care of the home, along with personal hygiene, and lack of paying bills and financial responsibility.
“Your loved one might also lack motivation, have a loss of interest in activities, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, often due to isolation and loneliness, irritability or exhibiting erratic behavior,” said Lynn Marting, owner of Lynn Marting Personal Care Home Consulting, Inc., who is celebrating her thirtieth anniversary in the business.
When is the right time to place? The answer is going to be different for everyone. But when your loved one’s safety and security become compromised then intervention is needed. There are various options of care for your loved one, and below is a list of guidelines Marting uses to match potential residents to the care that is suitable and tailored to meet their needs:
No. 1: Cognitive assessment. Levels of confusion and forgetfulness and the ability to follow one step, two step or three step commands, decreased attention and the inability to concentrate or initiate a task.
No. 2: Emotional, mental and social assessment. Is there any depression, hallucinations delusions, paranoia or even combative behavior or other mental health issues? Is the person wandering or exit seeking? “This too includes socialization and personality characteristic traits, hobbies and interests of the individual,” added Marting.
No. 3: Physical assessment. This includes the ability to complete ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) mobility, transferring, meal preparation, bathing, toileting and grooming. Does the potential resident require hands on guidance for ADLs? How much assistance with transfers and ambulation? Does he or she require minimal, moderate or maximum assistance? Is this person a household ambulator or can he or she ambulate longer distances with or without help?
No. 4: Medical assessment. This includes all medical diagnoses and medical attention, medications, medical equipment needed, insulin, oxygen, skin breakdown or open skin areas, difficulty in hearing, eyesight, and falls. Does the potential resident require home care services for therapy or nursing?
No. 5 Financial assessment. Fixed income, savings, assets, long-term care insurance, Veterans benefits and any other resources are assessed to determine the best placement.
About Lynn Marting, Lynn Marting Personal Care Home Consulting, Inc.
Lynn Marting provides counseling on the difference and direction of personal care homes, assisted living facilities, independent living centers, skilled nursing facilities, Alzheimer and dementia units, continuing care centers, senior residential communities and life care centers. Lynn is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh. She has 30 years working as a placement consultant for the elderly as well as many years experience in physical rehabilitation. A degree in Social Work and a background in mental health have given her the expertise needed in guiding you or your loved one toward making the right decision when living alone is no longer a choice. For more information, please call (724) 274-2177, or visit http://www.lynnmarting.com.
About the NALA™
The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALA’s mission is to promote a business’ relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.