Home Sweet Home Care Inc.

WHEN TO STEP IN:  AN ASSESSMENT TOOL

1. If I were to leave the country tomorrow, would my loved one be self-sufficient?
 I would say yes, with complete confidence.
 I would worry, but my loved one would be fine.
 I would have to hire someone to help my loved one a few hours each week.
 I would have to arrange for skilled nursing care.
 He/she cannot be left alone, so I cannot leave the country.

2. My loved one is in control of his/her mental faculties.
 He/she no signs of difficulty.
 He/she shows a little memory loss from time to time, but nothing serious.
 He/she needs assistance with bill paying.
 He/she sometimes forgets how to get home.
 His/her ability to make decisions is so poor that he/she is a danger to himself/herself.

3. My loved one is in control of his/her daily physical functioning.
 He/she is as active and healthy as ever.
 He/she needs some help getting out of bed.
 He/she has become increasingly dependent on a wheelchair.
 He/she needs more monitoring has lost bladder and/or bowel control.
 He/she is bedridden.

4. My loved one’s medications are under control.
 My loved one takes no medications.
 My loved one takes only one or two mild medications.
 My loved one has always been able to manage his/her medications but has recently become dizzy and confused.
 I have to help my loved one keep track of his/her medication.
 My loved one has been hospitalized because of drug interactions or overdosing by forgetting to take or making a mistake with medications.

5. My loved one is sociable and happy.
 He/she is very active and happy.
 He/she isn’t as active as before a recent illness.
 He/she doesn’t go out or visit with friends as often since spouse died.
 He/she is increasingly reluctant to leave the house.
 He/she is depressed and housebound.