Planning the best ways to care for yourself or an elderly person will often raise very important questions. For your convenience, we provide answers and links for some of the most commonly asked questions. However, before deciding upon any course of action, speak to your healthcare professional. Please keep in mind that these comments are meant for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical, legal or financial advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are important steps to take to make living at home safer for an elderly person?

How can you tell that it may no longer be appropriate for an older person to live at home?

What should you look for when choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility?

What is the level of care one can expect in an assisted living facility?

How do I choose between a nursing home and home care?

How do I know when it is the right time for someone to be admitted to a nursing home?

What are some positive lifestyle habits to help maintain or improve an older person's health?

Should you consult a financial or legal expert in eldercare?

What are important steps to take to make living at home safer for an elderly person?
To secure the safety and well-being of the elderly, it is important to check on the medicines the person is taking. All medications have side effects, and some could cause problems for the elderly patient. It is important to:

• Make sure you know the correct names of the drugs and what those drugs are for
• Know how and when the medications should be taken
• Be aware of side effects and when to consult a doctor
• Remove safety hazards and make the home more comfortable - homes can be hazardous for older people, who may be at risk for falls, cuts and burns
  • Add better lighting
  • Prevent burns by setting water temperature lower on hot water heater
  • Provide support in the shower, tub and toilet by mounting bars to hold
  • Use non-slip flooring especially in the bathroom and kitchen

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How can you tell that it may no longer be appropriate for an older person to live at home?
Look for changes in behaviour that show neglect or difficulty completing basic tasks. Below are some warning signs which may suggest that an elder needs professional care:

• Problems completing tasks involved in day-to-day living such as eating, walking, dressing, cooking or taking medications as directed by a doctor
• Infrequent bathing, dirty clothes, poor dental care
• Decline in mental function, such as frequent forgetfulness, getting lost while driving/walking, inability to communicate clearly, leaving the stove turned on, unusual behaviour
• Severe weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, bed wetting, sleeping too much or too little

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What should you look for when choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility?
There are many different types of care available in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Some provide quality care while others offer average or below-average care. Create a list of questions that your visit will help answer. Here are some sample questions:

• Do the residents seem alert and happy?
• Are the residents dressed appropriately for the season and time of day?
• How many nurses are on staff throughout the day?
• How quickly does the staff respond to a resident's call for assistance?
• Are there a variety of activities for residents to enjoy?
• Are most of the residents watching TV?
• Are religious services available?
• How would you rate the quality of food at the facility?
• How many balanced meals are served each day?
• Does the facility appear clean and is it odour free?
• What is the condition of a typical resident's room?
• Are there grab bars in the bathroom to prevent falls?
• Does the nursing home or assisted living facility have a good reputation in the area?
• Does the assisted living facility provide adequate transportation for the residents?

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What is the level of care one can expect in an assisted living facility?
Assisted living facilities try to be a home away from home for people who need some help with activities of daily living. The residences also offer limited healthcare services on an as-needed basis. However, there is no single standard for care and services that must be provided by an assisted living facility. For example, optional services may include meals and a registered nurse on call 24 hours a day.

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How do I choose between a nursing home and home care?
An elder person's medical condition and needs determine what level of services that person requires. Understanding the range of services in a nursing home versus home healthcare can help you find the appropriate type of assistance.

The skilled nursing care available in a nursing home is suitable for people who require medical, nursing or rehabilitation services. A nurse or nursing staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Home healthcare provides a range of specialized services (nursing services; speech, physical, or rehabilitative therapy; homemaker or social services) in the home.

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How do I know when it is the right time for someone to be admitted to a nursing home?
Defining the right time is difficult. The answer depends on each person's unique needs and circumstances. Remember to always talk to the person's doctor to determine when or if nursing home placement is appropriate. Here are some situations to be aware of when deciding if the time is right to enter a nursing home:

• An elder is being discharged from the hospital but still needs assistance
• An elder is being discharged from the hospital, but due to financial pressures or time limitations, returning home would not be in the best interest of the elder. A physician determines if the elder's medical condition requires the skilled nursing services of a nursing facility
• The level of care that is needed by the elder is too demanding for the family or caregiver to handle, and the costs of home healthcare services are too expensive
• The elder shows a sharp decline in mental function
• There is concern about an elder's safety while at home and alternative housing options are not appropriate
• The elder decides for personal reasons that a nursing home is where he or she would like to live

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What are some positive lifestyle habits to help maintain or improve an older person's health?
Aging is a natural process. However, disease and disability are not a natural part of aging. Healthy lifestyle habits can go a long way in preventing illness. Here are a few suggestions that can promote wellness:

• Exercise - Always check with your physician before initiating any form of exercise. As little as 20 minutes of brisk walking several times a week has been shown to improve health.¹ Increasing the intensity of exercise improves mood and confidence. Make sure your feet or the elder's feet are in good condition. If not, schedule an appointment with a foot doctor to treat any calluses, bunions, or corns. Invest in a comfortable pair of shoes or sneakers to make exercise more pleasurable.
• Eat a healthy diet - Older people should try to include at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Also, reduce the amount of salt, sugar and unhealthy fat in their diets.
• Don't smoke - Smoking for any age group is associated with a greatly increased risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and a variety of other diseases. Encourage a loved one to quit smoking. It can improve health, regardless of age.
• Reduce alcohol intake - Consuming alcohol can aggravate an existing medical condition, promote nutritional loss and increase risk of accidents for you or a loved one.
• Get adequate sleep - A good night's sleep promotes better health and improved mood for all family members.
• Review medications - An elder may not take medicines as prescribed, or may unknowingly combine them with over-the-counter (OTC) medications or nutritional supplements. Taking OTC medications with prescription drugs can create harmful side effects.
• Be informed - Stay informed about the latest medical treatments and care options for yourself or an elder.
• Be wise about medical services - Look at the different options for medical treatments, housing alternatives and insurance coverage.
• Maintain loving relationships - Spending time with an elder you love helps them to overcome loneliness, depression and other health problems.

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Should you consult a financial or legal expert in eldercare?
A lawyer can be an important resource in helping you with estate planning, inheritance issues, healthcare insurance, and contracts and agreements with care facilities.

1. Loverde J. The Complete Eldercare Planner. New York, NY: Random House; 2000.