Caregiver Needs Assessment
In many cases it may be obvious. Mom is forgetting to take her medications or cannot remember where they are. Dad is repeating himself or losing his balance and falling. For many, those times are the trigger for additional care, whether hired assistance in the home or considering a move to a retirement facility.
In other cases, it is more subtle. Dad is having more trouble parking in the garage and the car has more scratches. Mom doesn’t dress as neatly or keep the house as tidy as before. In such cases recognizing when additional care is needed may be less obvious. If unsure whether a loved one is ready for extra care in the home or a move to a retirement facility, this checklist may prove helpful.
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Evaluate the need requirement for the ten tasks below, then tabulate and recommendations are provided below.
| POINTS |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
HYGIENE |
Dressing |
Unable, requires total assistance |
Requires help with all items |
Requires help with shoelaces, zippers, belt |
Able to perform, but clothes must be arranged |
Dresses Independently |
|
Bathing and Toileting |
Unable, requires total assistance |
Requires assistance with undressing |
Able to perform with minimal help |
Able to perform with supervision and occasional help |
Baths and toilets independently |
|
|
Control (Continence) |
Total lack of bowel or bladder control |
Frequent Accidents |
Occasional accidents requiring assistance |
Occasional Incontinence, but properly cares for self |
Total control of bladder and bowels |
|
|
EATING AND MEAL PREP |
Eating and Nutrition |
Requires feeding |
Eats better when fed, losing weight |
Eats only about half of meals |
Eats less than usual, but adequate |
Eating well, good nutritional status |
|
Meal Preparation |
Unable to prepare or obtain meals |
Requires delivery or assistance with preparation |
Can assist, but needs main meals prepared daily |
Can prepare meals if food is obtained |
Obtains groceries and prepares meals independently |
|
|
ASSISTANCE WITH CHORES |
Household Chores |
Unable to perform basic cleaning and up keeping |
Regularly requires help with most housekeeping |
Regularly requires help with some housekeeping |
Requires only intermittent housekeeping |
Performs household chores independently |
|
MEDICATION ASSISTANCE |
Medications |
Unable to identify or self administer |
Regularly requires reminders |
Occasionally requires reminders |
Takes medications on schedule if pre-arranged |
Properly arranges and takes medications independently |
|
WALKING AND TRANSFERS |
Walking |
Unsteady balance, prone to falls |
Unable to move from bed to chair without help |
Wheelchair dependent, requires assistance |
Uses walking aid without assistance |
Walks Independently without assist device |
|
MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL |
Mental Status |
Confused and disoriented to place, time |
Poor judgment of risk, safety, not necessarily confused |
Requires frequent redirection |
Usually appropriate, requires occasional redirection |
Alert and oriented to person, place, time; Good judgment |
|
Mood |
Depressd and withdrawn or frequently angry, agitated with others |
Frequently sad, reflects on self worth |
Apathy, flat behavior, or occasional anger |
Generally good spirits, less joyful than usual |
Good in spirits |
|
Recommended Options (Based on tabulated score):
Below 25 – Home Care, Skilled Nursing, or Nursing Home
25 to 29- Home Care, Skilled Nursing, Nursing Home, or Assisted Living
30 to 39 – Home Care
40 to 50 – Home Independently, +/- Home Care
You can narrow your search and find just the right care for your loved one by working with one of our Free professional eldercare advisors. Don’t make this important decision alone… talk to an elder care expert today!
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Please note that the above assessment is for use as an assessment tool to facilitate thought and discussion only and does not constitute a formal recommendation. Each case must be evaluated individually.