Preparing Your Home: Part I

             Family members should work together to develop the best plan for their situation. You may have to learn through trial and error what works best for you and your loved one. Although you can’t predict every issue that will come up, it’s a good idea to discuss expectations and potential problems in advance with all members of the family.

Generally, it’s never too early to prepare scenarios, and the best time to begin planning the transition from hospital care to home caregiving, is shortly after your loved one has been admitted to the hospital.

And remember to keep good records so you always have information at your fingertips. Write down what the doctor says and do your own research as well.

First Things First: Consider…

• How long the illness is expected to last
• How your loved one’s condition will improve or worsen
• If therapies will be needed and who will provide them
• What specific medical emergencies might occur and how these emergencies be handled
• Adjustments all concerned will need to make
• What types of care your loved one will require and what is the best way to provide it
• Who will monitor health indicators; blood pressure, blood glucose, medication, etc. and where to record the information
• Whom to contact for advice or assistance
• Who will be part of your caregiving team and what roles they will play
• What type of care is available through acquaintances or family members, and what is available through agencies
• Whether you need any special equipment (oxygen or intravenous feeding, cane, walker) and where to acquire those things
• What physical changes to your home need to be made to promote safety and ease of mobility for your loved one
• What equipment your loved one will need to perform IADLs (Independent Activities of Daily Living; bathing, toileting, grooming, turning over in bed), or will you be performing these?
• Can your loved one perform ADLs (Activities of Daily Living; balancing checkbook, laundry, grocery shopping) or will they be dependent on you for these things?
• Whether pets in the home create any special problems (allergies, cats or dogs underfoot to impede loved one’s mobility)
• What special transportation needs your loved one will incur
• What the cost of your loved one’s care will be and what kind of coverage exists 

Look for Preparing Your Home: Part II next.

Based on Guide to Home Caregiving by American Medical Association. JohnWiley & Sons, Inc. ©2001 American Medical Association All Rights Reserved
Additional editing by Lauri Dilbeck