Until one experiences providing care for an aging loved one, many people don’t understand what caregiving entails. A care plan is needed to understand the needs and demands of an older adult.
What is a Care Plan?
A care plan is a customized analysis of your family members' life and needs. Prepared by a healthcare professional, the plan defines the goals for aging, an assessment of the elder’s personal and financial issues, and a thoughtful analysis of what needs to be done to reach the aging goals. It can include doctors, counselors, current and past diagnoses, government benefits and programs, and family contacts and friends.
How Can a Care Plan Help?
When you decide to hire a professional to develop a care plan, an in-home assessment evaluates an elder’s activities of daily living (ADLs) and functional ability. Seeing the home environment allows the professional, such as a care manager, nurse, or MSW, to gather information on medication and nutrition, along with psychological and social adaptations.
Once the in-home assessment is complete, the elder’s representative should expect a written care plan documenting the care issues. Recommendations, action items, and the expected cost of care are provided at the end of the care plan.
Services may include any of the following:
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Coordination of health care services
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Selection of home care agency providers
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Accompany to medical appointments
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Assisted living selection & application
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Advocacy (home, hospital & nursing home)
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Nursing home selection & application
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Medication compliance
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Home transitions (moving or downsizing)
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Family education & counseling
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Long distance liaison
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Telephone reassurance
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Friendly visitors
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Crisis management
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Information & referral
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Care planning identifies problems and provides solutions. Once the plan is complete, the representative can decide who executes what. By acting as a guide for future caregivers, a care plan can facilitate quality of care and keep your loved one healthy and safe.