Home care needs checklist

Most people as they age remain independent in their home throughout their lives. For others chronic disease or disability can take its toll.

Assessing your needs

The type of home care services you need to organise will depend on how well a person is coping with activities of daily living.

Once you have identified what areas of care a person needs assistance with, you can begin your search for appropriate home care services.

Remember that a person’s care needs can change over time especially during periods of ill health. You may need to reassess care needs at this time.

If you are caring for someone at home, what aspects of care are you finding demanding? What home care services can make your job easier?

If you feel someone needs more care than you can provide, contact your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). ACAT will formally assess a family member's care needs and will recommend appropriate home care service providers.

Alternatively talk to a private nursing or domestic agency who can organise a nurse to visit the home. Sometimes the best way to determine how well a person is coping in the home is to go and stay with them for a few days.

Home care needs checklist

Use the following checklist to help you identify a person’s care needs.

Mobility: Can they safely transfer in and out of bed, on and off the toilet, up and down stairs? Are they unsteady on their feet and prone to falls, slips and trips?

Memory loss and confusion: Are they becoming increasingly confused and disorientated? Are they forgetting jobs to be done, ignoring personal hygiene, getting lost in familiar places or having problems doing simple tasks?

Nutrition: Can they get to the shops, prepare and eat nutritious meals?

Toileting and Incontinence: Are they having problems getting on and off the toilet, attending to personal hygiene, incontinence?

Driving and Transport: Are they capable of driving safely? Can they get to the shops and medical appointments, use public transport?

Finances: Are bills being paid? Can they manage their bank account and organise finances?

Maintaining the home: Do they need help taking the rubbish out? Cleaning the house, general maintenance about the home and garden. Do they need help with the laundry?

Medications: Do they have problems taking medications?

Safety: Are their any hazards in the home? Are they at risk of falls, trips and slips?

Social contact: Are they isolated in the home? Have limited contact with friends and family? Do they engage in social activities or hobbies?
 

Related articles

• How to arrange nursing care for ageing parents
  
• Home and Community Care (HAAC) Program
• ACAT- How to access aged care assistance