Is it time for more care? A free check for families

Everyday personal careTick what they need hands-on help with now, most days. Bathing or showering Getting dressed Using the toilet, or accidents (incontinence) Getting in and out of bed or a chair Eating (not cooking: the eating itself)

Running the houseThings they used to manage alone. Meals: an empty or spoiled fridge, skipped meals, or weight loss Medications: missed doses, double doses, or refills not picked up Bills and money: unpaid bills, unopened mail, or odd payments Driving or getting to appointments Housework and laundry have slipped

SafetyIn the last six months or so. Had a fall Fell more than once, or was hurt by a fall A safety scare at home: stove left on, door left open, water running Alone most of the day or night, and couldn't reliably call for help Fell for a scam, or let a stranger in

Memory and behaviorSkip this part if memory isn't a concern. Has a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis, or memory loss the doctor is aware of Has wandered, got lost, or tries to leave to "go home" Up at night, or more confused in the late afternoon and evening, so someone has to be awake Sometimes doesn't recognize home or close family Agitation, suspicion or anger that's hard to calm Confusion got much worse suddenly, over hours or a few days

Health Needs nursing care every day (wounds, injections, a feeding tube, complex equipment) Can't stand or move without one or two people lifting Two or more ER visits or hospital stays in the last six months Mostly in bed, eating very little, and declining despite treatment

You, the caregiverBe honest. This matters as much as the rest. I'm not sleeping enough because of caregiving My own health has slipped, or I've skipped my own appointments I feel irritable, resentful, numb or hopeless more days than not My job, marriage or kids are suffering If I got sick tomorrow, nobody could step in I've been hit, pushed or threatened while giving care

Tick what you've noticed

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Go through each section on the left. It takes about three minutes, and nothing you tick leaves this page.

A starting point for a family conversation, not a medical assessment. Take your answers to your parent's doctor, who can check for treatable causes and say what level of care fits.

Is it time for more care?

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