Learn more about CFSS in Minnesota
The holiday season is often an important time of the year for many families to reconnect and spend time with one another.
While this can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience for many, it also allows you to notice that a loved one in your life may need extra support.
Home care services support aging individuals or those with ongoing health conditions to get the help they need while still being able to live at home where it’s familiar to them and where they can maintain some independence.
Suppose you’ve noticed the following scenario in a parent or loved one’s behavior. In that case, it may be a sign that home care services might be an option for them and a way to improve their quality of life through socializing and support for daily tasks.
Here are a few examples of adults who cannot care for themselves and may benefit from homecare services.
As we age, our bones and joints become stiff and more brittle, making falls more common and dangerous. So if you’ve noticed someone you care about finding it hard to go up and down stairs, get up from a seated position, or do other everyday actions, it might be a sign they need support.
Personal care assistants (PCAs) can help support care recipients physically as they move through their homes and perform regular checks every day in case a fall happens.
Some people may need help with daily tasks like showering, grocery shopping, or other essentials for physical or mental reasons. To ensure that they can continue to live a full life of dignity, having a PCA who can support them in those basic daily tasks can allow them to rest and enjoy their days.
Many people take medications of some kind, but sometimes those medications start stacking up. Not only does it mean a person is potentially managing multiple health conditions, but it can also be hard to remember to take all essential medications.
This situation becomes more critical if other medical procedures are at play, such as checking blood sugar levels or doing daily physical therapy as ordered by a doctor.
If you notice your loved one has gained or lost a significant amount of weight since you saw them last, this could be a sign that they are not eating well.
A PCA can help home care recipients put together a balanced meal plan full of nutritious food they love, as well as help them buy fresh groceries regularly. The difference a healthy diet can make is vital to people of all ages!
As we age, our cognitive abilities may slow, especially if we're not socializing with others or staying active throughout the day.
If you’ve noticed older adults in your life finding it difficult to follow conversations or directions, this is a sign that they should have ongoing care to keep them safe in their homes.
If you know adults who cannot care for themselves without the support of a PCA, the first step is getting them a PCA Assessment.
To qualify for PCA Services in Minnesota, your loved one must complete a PCA Assessment. During this process, a Public Health Nurse (PHN) will ask the person several questions to determine their need for PCA Services.
Getting an official PCA assessment will require scheduling an appointment with a PHN. If you have questions about this process, don’t hesitate to contact Best Care. We are here to help and advise in any way we can. For example, following the PCA assessment, if you're loved one is eligible, we can help you find the perfect PCA to provide quality care or help you (or another member of your family) get set up with getting paid to take care of your loved one in need.
Contact us to learn more! In the meantime, review our resources page for more information, guides, and more!
