Common Daily Living Needs
As individuals age, tasks that were once simple can become challenging. These are often categorized into two groups: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
ADLs are the fundamental self-care tasks typically learned in early childhood. When an older person needs help with these, it often signals a significant change in their health or mobility.
- Personal Hygiene: This includes bathing, showering, and grooming. Diminished balance, strength, and range of motion can make these activities risky.
- Dressing: The physical dexterity needed to button a shirt, zip a fly, or pull up socks can decrease with age, requiring assistance.
- Mobility: Moving around the home, getting in and out of a chair or bed, and navigating stairs can become hazardous. The risk of falls increases substantially without proper support or aids.
- Toileting: Assistance may be needed with using the toilet and maintaining hygiene.
- Eating: While some may only need minor support, others may require help with feeding themselves.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
IADLs are more complex, multi-step tasks that are essential for independent living. These are often the first to require assistance.
- Meal Preparation: Shopping for groceries, preparing nutritious meals, and cleaning up can become difficult. Poor nutrition is a common problem among older adults living alone.
- Housekeeping: Maintaining a clean and safe home, including cleaning, doing laundry, and taking out the trash, can be physically demanding.
- Managing Finances: Paying bills, managing a budget, and handling paperwork can be confusing and lead to costly mistakes or vulnerability to scams.
- Transportation: Driving cessation due to poor vision, slower reflexes, or a medical condition can lead to isolation. Help is often needed for getting to appointments, the grocery store, or social events.
- Medication Management: Following a complex medication schedule is a major challenge for many older adults.
Health and Medical Assistance
Older adults often face multiple chronic health conditions that require careful management. Assistance in this area can be life-saving.
Medication Management and Adherence
For many seniors, remembering to take the right medication at the right time is a constant struggle. Caregivers can help by:
- Setting up pillboxes for weekly or daily dosages.
- Coordinating with pharmacists for automatic refills.
- Keeping a detailed list of all medications, dosages, and times.
Navigating the Healthcare System
Healthcare can be complex and overwhelming. Older people often need help with:
- Making and getting to doctor's appointments.
- Communicating with doctors and understanding diagnoses.
- Advocating for their needs with healthcare providers.
- Understanding and navigating health insurance benefits, such as Medicare.
Emotional and Social Support
Isolation and loneliness are significant health risks for older adults, contributing to depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of cognitive decline. Social engagement is a critical need.
Combating Loneliness
- Regular visits from family and friends.
- Connecting with community centers or senior groups.
- Using technology for video calls with loved ones.
Cognitive Stimulation
Engaging the mind is as important as engaging the body. Activities can include:
- Playing board games, cards, or puzzles.
- Reading books or listening to audiobooks.
- Learning a new skill or hobby.
- Having regular, meaningful conversations.
The Role of Technology and Safety
Technology offers numerous benefits but can also be a source of frustration. Simple tasks like using a smartphone, navigating streaming services, or paying bills online can be difficult.
Staying Safe at Home
Modifications can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
- Fall Prevention: Installing grab bars in bathrooms, adding handrails to stairs, and removing tripping hazards like loose rugs.
- Home Security: Setting up and explaining the use of security systems, smart locks, or personal emergency response systems.
- Emergency Preparedness: Ensuring easy access to a phone and emergency contacts.
Comparison of Care Options
| Feature | In-Home Care | Assisted Living Facility | Skilled Nursing Facility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Client's Home | Residential Facility | Medical Facility |
| Cost | Hourly; highly variable | Monthly; covers lodging, food, care | Higher cost; more intensive medical care |
| Privacy | High | Semi-private or private; less autonomy | Low |
| Level of Care | Varies; from companionship to skilled nursing | Mix of independence and assistance | High; 24/7 medical supervision |
| Social Interaction | Can be limited without planning | Organized social events and communal living | Primarily focused on medical needs |
How to Assess and Offer Help
Signs an Older Person May Need Assistance
- A noticeable decline in personal hygiene.
- Spoiled food in the refrigerator or empty cupboards.
- Unpaid bills or unopened mail.
- Bruises or signs of falls.
- Unexplained weight loss or poor nutrition.
- Social withdrawal or changes in mood.
- Difficulty managing medications.
- Forgetting to turn off appliances or other safety concerns.
Steps to Provide Support
- Start a Gentle Conversation: Approach the topic with sensitivity and respect. Frame the discussion around safety and well-being, not just a loss of independence. For more on communication, consult The Caregiver's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Caring for Your Loved Ones.
- Create a Plan Together: Involve the older person in decisions about their care to maintain their sense of control. Discuss what tasks they find most challenging and what they are comfortable receiving help with.
- Explore Resources: Research community services, from meal delivery programs to transportation services. Look into financial assistance options if needed.
- Enlist Family and Friends: Create a network of support. Family members and friends can help with specific tasks, offering respite for the primary caregiver.
- Monitor and Adjust: Needs change over time. Regularly check in and reassess the care plan to ensure it's still effective and appropriate.
Conclusion
Assessing what do older people need help with is a multi-faceted process that goes beyond simple physical tasks. It involves addressing a wide spectrum of needs, from managing daily chores and medical complexities to providing crucial emotional and social support. By approaching these needs with empathy, patience, and a collaborative spirit, we can help older adults maintain their dignity, independence, and overall quality of life as they navigate the later stages of life.
