If youre thinking about starting home care for an older adult, a home care assessment is an essential first step. At Visiting Angels, a care coordinator will meet with you and your loved one to discuss your care requirements.You may be overwhelmed by the variety of senior care options available. Anxiety can increase if a loved one has immediate personal care needs. However, an assessment and home care consultation can help ease any trepidations.Why Do You Need a Home Care Assessment?A home care assessment is conducted with your loved ones needs, abilities, and safety in mind, and may include the following:A walk-through around the home to look for safety hazards and fall risksA discussion about how to optimize the home for maximum safetyCreating a care plan that outlines the schedule and services providedA detailed care plan provides a road map that outlines when and how a caregiver will perform specific tasks for your loved one.When is a Home Care Assessment Performed?A Visiting Angels assessment typically occurs after a no-cost, no-obligation home care consultation. During the initial consultation, your loved one and family members will meet with a care coordinator at your loved ones home.The initial consultation details the services Visiting Angels provides. Topics for discussion may include:Physical care needs, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, meals, and mobilityEmotional care needs, such as social interaction, activities, hobbies, and conversationSchedule, including when your loved one would benefit from having a caregiver in the homeAssistance with daily activities, such as light housework, groceries, laundry, and meal preparationLogistics, such as how to access the home, documentation, and other administrative detailsPreferences, such as favorite music, activities, foods, goals, and expectationsDuring the initial consultation, if you want to start in-home services as soon as possible, the coordinator may perform a home care assessment during the same home visit.However, it is common for families to take some time to decide whether home care is the right choice. You can always reach out to Visiting Angels when you are ready and schedule a home care assessment at a later date.How Can You Prepare for a Home Care Assessment?Be willing to have an honest discussion about your loved ones abilities, safety, home environment, and care expectations. Prepare a list of questions important to you and your loved one, and keep it nearby during the assessment.Visiting Angels care coordinators are skilled at discussing delicate personal care concerns in a dignified and respectful way. They can provide a wealth of information and resources to improve your loved ones safety, quality of life, and well-being.Contact Visiting AngelsA home care assessment may sound intimidating, but it ensures your loved ones environment is safe and that everyone is on the same page regarding their care. If you think in-home personal care might be the best choice, contact your nearest Visiting Angels home care agency today.

For more information on Visiting Angels, Click Here.Seniors and their loved ones typically make New Years resolutions as the holiday season draws to a close. While eating healthier, exercising more, or taking up a new hobby are common themes, families with older loved ones should consider setting goals for senior care during the coming year.What are the Benefits of Senior Care Resolutions?Senior care resolutions establish goals and priorities that reflect what is most important to an older loved one. Family members and caregivers can work on ideas to ensure everyone is communicating, on the same page, and working toward the same goals.Making resolutions can also provide seniors with a sense of purpose and clarity. Having a plan to achieve specific goals can also reduce some of the stress and uncertainty related to aging and caring for an older adult.What are Examples of Senior Care Resolutions?Here are six examples of senior care resolutions that you can use to guide discussions with your older loved one, family members, and caregivers:Plan for senior careWhile your older loved one can live independently right now, the day may come when they require assistance with everyday activities. Learn about their wishes regarding elder care. Do they prefer in-home care or an assisted living facility? What financial or insurance resources are available to pay for their home care? What is most important to them as they age?After you understand their preferences, begin investigating senior care options. Setting up a no-cost, no-obligation meeting with a Visiting Angels representative can provide you and your senior with information about home care costs and needs.Organize medical and personal recordsCompiling an emergency medical file for a senior could save their life. Organize medical and insurance information and keep it in an easily accessible place. Family members and caregivers should have a copy of the file. You may wish to organize financial information, life insurance policies, wills, and related documents into a separate file.Downsize and declutterMany seniors may want to declutter their homes but find it difficult to relinquish a lifetime of belongings. Assist your loved one by sorting through their possessions. Proceed at their pace and allow them to have the final say on what to keep, sell, donate, and discard. The task may take time, but you may enjoy reliving happy family memories together. And, if you need extra help, a Visiting Angels caregiver can continue the project with your older loved one when you cant be there.Stay in touchIf you live far away or are too busy with a job and family of your own, it can be easy to lose touch with an elderly loved one. Commit to staying in touch by setting up a regular time for phone or video calls. If technology is a barrier, an in-home caregiver can assist with setting up video calls and other communication methods.Utilize technologyWhether for safety, socialization, commerce, or convenience, a resolution to try technology can help improve your older adults quality of life. Constant Companion, a proprietary voice-activated system that uses Amazons Echo Dot to support Visiting Angels clients, is one example of life-enhancing technology designed for older adults.But if your loved one is a little intimidated or unsure about using the latest gadget, having an in-home caregiver at their side can improve their confidence. A Visiting Angels caregiver can also monitor for online and phone scams to reduce the risk of your older adult becoming a victim of fraud.Ask for helpWhen it comes to senior care, failing to ask for help can have disastrous consequences. For older adults, it can lead to self-neglect and accidents around the home. For family members, it can lead to  caregiver burnout, anxiety, and resentment. If you are struggling to care for your senior or if you notice that your senior is having difficulty caring for themselves or their spouse then seek professional assistance from a Visiting Angels in-home caregiver.Visiting Angels can provide your senior loved one with personal care and companionship and instill peace of mind for you and your family members during the new year and beyond. Contact us today!

Maintaining balance and strength is increasingly vital to the overall well-being of aging adults, particularly for those with mobility concerns. Falls can have severe consequences for seniors, leading to debilitating injuries, loss of independence, and a decline in overall quality of life.One in four older adults experiences a fall each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can assist your senior loved one in reducing their risk of experiencing severe injuries by helping to improve their balance and strength.What Causes Balance Problems?Mobility concerns become increasingly prevalent in aging adults due to various factors, including physiological changes, chronic health conditions, and reduced physical activity. These issues can significantly impact their balance, strength, and daily lives, affecting their independence, safety, and overall well-being.In addition to normal aging, balance problems can be caused by:Medication side effectsInner ear problemsMedical conditions (i.e. diabetes, stroke, heart disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, etc.)How Can Seniors Improve Balance and Strength?Recognizing and addressing mobility concerns is crucial in empowering older adults to maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle while minimizing the risks associated with falls and functional limitations. By working with your loved ones doctor, you can develop a plan to address their balance and mobility concerns, which may include:Physical therapyPhysical therapists are experts who understand how reflexes, balance, coordination, vision, and hearing all work together to help people move. A physical therapist can assess your loved ones condition and recommend balance exercises for seniors to address areas of concern and help them get around confidently.Occupational therapyOccupational therapists can teach strategies to reduce fall risks, such as getting up from a chair properly or using a cane or walker. Occupational therapists can also work with family members to teach them how to assist a loved one with mobility concerns.Yoga and tai-chiYoga and tai chi for seniors are exercises that can help improve strength and balance in older people. These forms of exercise are gentle and can be safely modified to be done while seated.How Can Seniors With Balance Problems Stay Safe?Improving balance through exercise can help your senior remain independent for as long as possible. However, if your older adult is experiencing challenges with balance and wants to age in their own home, one-on-one assistance from a qualified personal care provider can reduce the risk of a fall especially when navigating the bathroom, stairs, or outdoor spaces.A Visiting Angels caregiver can be by your loved ones side to assist them when getting out of bed or a chair, walking around the home, bathing, or going outdoors. Through its Safe and Steady Fall Prevention Program, Visiting Angels will keep your loved one as safe as possible by promoting habits and easy home modifications to reduce your loved one's risk of falling at home.Contact your local Visiting Angels home care office and learn how the Safe and Steady Fall Preventionprogram can help reduce your aging loved ones risk of experiencing a life-altering fall and keep them safe and comfortable at home.