Six Steps to Set Up Elder Care Services
Your dad is getting older and wants to stay in his home, but there are things you’ve noticed he cannot do. As you try to help him balance his desire for independent living with his safety, you’re interested in getting him set up with elder care services. Here’s what you need to do.
Ask Your Dad About His Routine
Elder Care Ocoee, FL: Setting up Elder Care
Go over your dad’s daily routine. When does he get up? Does he shower first or have his coffee, tea, juice, and breakfast before his shower? If he has a dog, does he have to walk the dog before he can do anything else?
Once he’s showered and dressed, what does he do next? Does he like to go for a walk or is he afraid to go alone? Does he have errands to run or did he have to stop driving? Who helps him if he can’t drive?
Find Out What Medications He Takes and Why
What medications does your dad take? Why does he take them? He may be taking beta-blockers for his blood pressure. Those are important, so it’s essential that he never misses a dose.
Is he often forgetting to take a pill? Does he avoid some of his medications because he doesn’t like how they make him feel? Are his medications too expensive, leading him to take them every other day instead of daily? This all needs to be addressed through conversations with your dad’s doctor and pharmacist as there may be alternatives.
Talk to the Family About His Situation
Gather the rest of the family and ask for their input. When they’ve stopped by to visit, do they find things are not ideal? Your dad’s out of medications and has to rush order a refill or he has no groceries. Is the house clean or a disorganized mess?
Create a List of Your Dad’s Needs
Look around your dad’s home at the things he can do on his own and what he struggles to complete. For example, you stop by and find his hamper overflowing. Ask him why. If he feels unsafe going to his laundry room with a heavy hamper, it’s time to arrange to have someone do his laundry for him.
Build a Calendar of Care
Once you know how often you and your siblings can stop by to help your dad, create a calendar of care. Have people sign up for the days they’re free and tasks they’re available to help him with. Look through that calendar for gaps in coverage.
Those gaps are the areas where you need to arrange elder care services. A caregiver can come by and help your dad complete the chores on his list.
Call an Elder Care Agency
It’s time to talk to an expert in elder care. Go over your dad’s daily routine, the things he can and cannot do independently, and the frequency of his need for help. An elder care advisor can help you arrange the care he needs.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elder Care in Ocoee, FL please contact the caring staff at Winter Garden Senior Home Care today. (407) 347-2050
Founder / Owner
Jennifer Talbot is the Co-Owner of Winter Garden Senior Home Care in Winter Garden Florida.The business opened on Plant Street in October of 2007 (formally known as Age Advantage).
Jennifer remains active in the business and enjoys personally meeting with families looking for professional, classy caregivers. She prides herself in taking the time to listen and appreciate the personalities and life experiences of people who wish to “age in place”.Her unique ability to match people with their ideal caregiver, combined with a strong sense of service is what makes her business so successful.
Mrs. Talbot is a current member and past president of the Winter Garden Rotary Club, past president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, active West Orange Chamber member, Recipient of the “Spirit of West Orange” Award 2017, Past Business Networking International Growth Coordinator, Past Committee member and founder of South Lake’s HINT, sustainer member of the West Orange Junior Service League, past board member for AGED, advisory board member for Elder Advocates, a United States Air Force brat, and proud mother of two college graduates.
Rebecca Lanterman
Owner
Rebecca has worked in the Central Florida medical community for over 10 years.She is a native of Winter Garden, Florida andhas a driving passion to serve our seniors.It has been said that Rebecca never meets a stranger.Her experience has been in Hospice, Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities where she faithfully served as a community liaison helping residents and families understand the myriad of long term care and healthcare options.
Rebecca is the mom of a little guy who is the twinkle of her eye.She can often be heard telling stories of traveling all around the country pulling her camper.To Rebecca, to live life is to touch it and experience it.Growing up in Central Florida afforded her some unique experiences like being a part of the “Magic” at Walt Disney World where she was a Walt Disney World Spirit Ambassador.She feels that this early indoctrination by The Walt Disney Company helped her understand the true value of serving others.To this day, she still has some of that Pixie Dust.Rebecca has also accomplished countless marathons and triathlons. After the sudden loss of her dad, her training partner, in 2012 she stepped away from the sport.But, as time has passed and healing has taken place, she is back to pursuing their dreams again.This time, her dad, her trusty training partner is keeping pace in her heart.It is from that willingness and drive that Rebecca has a keen understanding of the arduous and often treacherous course that our families are on.And, she is here to come along beside you and be with you each step, each stride, and each hurdle.It’s the old adage “life is a marathon and not a sprint”.She is here along with the team at Winter Garden Senior Home Care to be a part of your journey.
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