Take the First Step for Home Care

When your ability to care for yourself or for a spouse, a family member or loved one is becoming problematic, it may be time to consider care. Care may begin with just a few hours a day to allow the family caregiver time to work, shop or for respite from the more demanding tasks like bathing, walking and transferring. Extended or full time care may be needed in cases of sharp declines in health. Whatever the need may be, the benefits and flexibility of home care remains the number one choice of seniors.

When making the decision for senior care in Chicago, we advise you to consider the four fundamental areas of independent living:

1. Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are the day-to-day tasks that people generally do for themselves. There are six basic ADLs:

  • Eating
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Toileting
  • Transferring (walking)
  • Continence

The inability to perform even just one of the ADL’s is a signal that it is time for home care.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) are more complex skills needed to live independently. IADL’s include:

  • Can they manage finances?
  • Transportation (driving or navigating public transit)
  • Shopping
  • Preparing meals
  • Using the telephone and other communication devices
  • Managing medications
  • Can they manage housework and basic home maintenance?

Care assessments should consider both ADLs and IADLs.  Together these skills represent what is necessary for seniors to manage their needs independently

The Checklist of Activities of daily Living (PDF) provided at  pbs.org  or the ADL Assessment tool, from the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, provides more detailed guides to help to determine where assistance is needed and help in deciding if homecare may be necessary. 

 

2. Physical Health

Another fundamental consideration is physical health. Three main components to physical health include:

Mobility – The ability to safely move around the home and neighborhood without assistance or direction. 

Vision – Impaired vision is a common part of aging but may include more serious problems like cataracts, glaucoma, eye floaters or other degenerative problems. It is important to monitor vision loss and to receive checkups as prescribed by your physician.   

Hearing – Loss or impaired hearing is another common concern of aging and can lead to balance or other related problems.   

Both hearing and vision problems can lead to reduced social interaction, depression, reduced quality of life and injuries from falls.  Physical health is an important consideration when considering home care. 

3. Mental Health

Memory – In the early stages of dementia it is often hard to determine if memory loss is a result of normal aging or a disease process, (Alzheimers and/or dementia). If you suspect memory loss is more than normal aging, a discussion with your primary care physician is a good place to start.  The difference between normally occurring memory problems and problems caused by early stages of Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s can be hard to tell apart. A professional assessment should be discussed with the primary care physician (PCP).

Depression – Depression is another challenging diagnosis and can be confused with other medical issues. Assessing symptoms like; low energy, loss of appetite, and decreased interests should be discussed with the primary care physician (PCP).

4. Nutrition

Nutrition can be a problem for seniors living alone. Appetite and proper nutrition often become a challenge for many reasons. Nutrition should be carefully considered when deciding on the need for personal care services. Questions to ask include:

  • Does the person have the ability to navigate to the market, shop for the right foods, store the food correctly and prepare the food?
  • Is the person getting the correct amount and type of foods to meet daily health requirements?
  • Is the person remembering to eat regularly?
  • Is the person losing weight?
  • Does the person seem well hydrated?

It is important to consult your primary care physician (PCP) or a geriatric specialist to evaluate and advise on a person’s care requirements. Custom Home Care would be happy to send out one of our geriatric nurses to assist you with this process. This is a complimentary service offered by our company.

What’s Next?

If it is determined that home care is your next step, then you will need to learn about our eldercare services.

Our services include:

  • Companionship and oversight
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
  • Oral Hygiene
  • Skin Care
  • Medication Reminders
  • Incontinence care
  • Exercise and rehab compliance
  • Homemaker and Companion
  • Meal preparation
  • Light housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Errands and shopping
  • Socialization
  • Escort to appointments and outings
  • Transferring
  • Other individual needs/requests

Why Choose Custom Home Care?

  • Our exemplary home care history since 1994
  • Privately owned by registered nurses, not a franchise
  • 24 hour on call availability – Phones always answered by a person, not a machine
  • Extensive experience in the home care industry
  • Dedication to client service
  • Nurse managed care
  • Specialized care programs including Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia
  • Respite care Chicago family caregivers need to create balance
  • Compassionate, caring, patient and highly trained caregivers
  • Considerate, concerned and responsive office staff
  • Commitment to maintaining and/or improving our clients’ independence and quality of life
  • Care is provided in single family homes, apartments, skilled nursing homes, retirement communities, rehab centers or hospitals
  • Ability to work with out of town family members and custodians, maintaining good communication
  • Weekend client services manager availability to make visits as necessary
  • Ongoing follow-up and client services management for all our clients
  • Our pledge to follow industry best practices
  • Licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health

Understand What to Expect

It is important to us that you fully understand the benefits and details of home care. Take the time to review your needs and organize your thoughts about what you believe you require. Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions Section (FAQs) to help with expectations. We also encourage you to take the time to browse our entire website. You will find that we have the history, knowledge and expertise to make your home care experience a success; we can provide you with the confidence of knowing you will be receiving quality home care with ongoing supervision from our well trained and caring Caregivers and staff.

Contact Us

If you feel you or your loved one would or may benefit from home care services, please contact us. Let our experienced well trained staff guide you through the process of obtaining a personal caregiver.