The Importance of a Letter of Competency

When deciding on the best senior living residence for your loved one, you may have questions regarding which type of facility is most appropriate to address their current health and desired autonomy. Your physician can hep in this determination, and most assisted living and memory care centers will perform their own assessment both to determine if their facility is equipped to help the individual and to determine a probable path for ongoing care. As time goes on, your loved one will be regularly assessed to ensure that their care plan is beneficial for their evolving needs. ADLs and IADLs are the most common measurement guidelines for the required care level.The six activities of daily living (ADLs) and the eight instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are the standard guidelines used to assess whether senior adults can or should continue living independently, or if assistance is needed. In some cases, insurance companies may also require ADL or IADL assessment to clinically identify needs before agreeing to pay for additional care.What Are the 6 ADLs?Bathing. The individual is fully capable of bathing themselves, or may just need help with one part of the body because of injury.Dressing. The individual chooses their own clothes from a dresser or closet, get dressed, and adds appropriate outer clothing such as a sweater on cool days.Toileting. The individual goes to the bathroom without assistance, including getting on and off the toilet, taking off and putting on clothes, and cleaning themselves.Transferring. The individual can gets themselves in and out of a chair or bed on their own.Continence. The individual has complete control over urination and defecation.Feeding. The individual can feed themselves without assistance. (Food may be prepared by someone else.)Effectively Assessing ADLsIf senior adults can perform all six of these activities without any assistance or prompting, they are deemed to have full function, and can care for themselves. A score of four out of six indicates  moderate impairment and that they may need additional care, while one or two out of six indicates severe functional impairment and therefore, they need others to care for them. Many seniors lose these abilities gradually and progressively. Certain tasks may become more challenging as they ag, while others may remain their entire life.What are the 8 IADLs?Using the telephone. The individual can answer the phone, and knows how to call family and friends on their own.Shopping. The individual can purchase everything they need without assistance.Food preparation. The individuals has the capacity to plan, prepare and serve their own food.Housekeeping. The individual can perform home maintenance duties such as washing dishes or making the bed.Laundry. The individual can do their own laundry, at least in part.Mode of transportation. The individual can either drive, or understands how to arrange for their own transportation.Responsibility for own medications. The individual correctly self-administers their medication without prompting.Managing finances. The individual manages their personal finances with little (or limited) help, including paying bills and keeping track of balances.Considerations When Assessing ADLs and IADLsWhile ADLs and IADLs can be helpful in assessing autonomy, they arent a perfect tool. An individuals unique physical and cognitive abilities can change from day to day, or decline gradually over time. Because of this, ADLs and IADLs should be evaluated routinely to identify if any changes in living and care arrangements are needed.At My Care Finders, we help families to navigate the complexities of understanding all of their care options. Our knowledgeable senior care experts can help you to collect the necessary information to make an informed and appropriate decision for your loved one. Call today to learn more about our FREE services.

Veteran-owned HomeWell puts veterans first, offering exceptional in-home care that honors their service and values.As veterans, we understand the importance of protecting the well-being of others. Our service-driven approach is rooted in the values of perseverance, respect, dignity and honor as we aid families in need, support fellow veterans and help our community thrive through exceptional in-home care services. Committed to providing you with the peaceful retirement youve earned.The retirement years of those who have served should be marked by dignity, comfort and belonging. However, for veterans whose years of service are etched with valor and sacrifice, life as a citizen can prove challenging. Depending on their experiences, the transition to normalcy and everyday life can be a long-term endeavorone that continues well into their senior years.At HomeWell, weve found that the comfort of home can make all the difference for our esteemed soldiers who seek to age gracefully. For these individuals, maintaining autonomy is not just a preference; its a testament to the resilience that defines them. By bringing care directly to their doorstep, senior veterans can enjoy the familiarity of their own space while receiving the individualized care they need. Our role in veterans care:Our service-driven approach is rooted in the values of perseverance, respect, dignity and honor as we support veterans and their families, ultimately helping our community thrive through exceptional in-home care services. We thoughtfully consider the individual needs of each veteran entrusted to our care to develop a highly personalized plan that takes into account their physical, mental and emotional well-being at home.We also extend a helping hand to veterans and their families as they navigate their finances. We understand that paying out of pocket often hinders them from pursuing non-medical home care. However, if your loved one is enrolled in health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or has a monthly VA pension, they may be eligible to receive coverage for assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) at HomeWell.  If you or an aging loved one are considering Veterans Care in Plano, TX, contact the caring staff at HomeWell Care Services Plano TX  today. Call (469) 596-6500HomeWell Care Services Plano TX is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Garland, Little Elm, Prosper, and the surrounding areas.

This month, we shine our Employee Spotlight on Community Relations Manager, Jerry Gorman!Jerry is a senior living professional with over 35 years of sales, marketing, operations, and management experience. He is a servant-driven leader focused on helping his clients live their best lives by understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations.Jerry most recently worked in Senior Living as a Community Sales Director and Executive Director for many years before joining HomeWell Care Services in June of 2022 as the Community Relations Manager serving the North Dallas area.His responsibilities include creating positive brand awareness, networking with professional organizations, building relationships with senior living communities, churches, rehabilitation centers, adult senior centers, hospitals, and more that will result in long-lasting community partnerships, and keeping our home care services top of mind within the community we serve.Thank you, Jerry, for being an amazing professional. You are an asset to our companys continuing growth and make a difference in the lives of your clients and HomeWell Care Services Plano, TX! If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Plano, TX, contact the caring staff at HomeWell Care Services Plano TX today!Call (469) 596-6500HomeWell Care Services Plano TX is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Garland, Little Elm, Prosper, and the surrounding areas.