This “quiz” will help determin if you should consider stepping in as a caregiver or making arrangement for a caregiver to visit regularly.
If I were to leave the country tomorrow, would my loved ones be self-sufficient?
- I would say yes, with complete confidence.
- I would worry, but my loved ones would be fine.
- I would have to hire someone to help my loved ones for a few hours every week.
- I would have to arrange for skilled nursing care.
- They cannot be left alone, so I cannot leave the country.
My loved ones are in control of their mental facilities.
- They show no signs of difficulty.
- They show minimal memory loss from time to time, but nothing serious.
- They need assistance with bill paying.
- They sometimes forget how to get home.
- Their ability to make decisions is so poor that they danger themselves.
My Loved ones are in control of their daily physical functioning.
- They are as active and healthy as ever.
- They need help getting out of bed.
- They have become increasingly dependent on a wheelchair.
- They need additional monitoring; they have lost bladder and/or bowel control.
- They are bedridden.
My loved ones’ medications are under control.
- They do not take medications.
- They only take one or two mild medications.
- They have always been able to manage their medications, but have recently become dizzy and confused.
- I have to help my loved ones keep track of their medications.
- They have been hospitalized because of drug interactions, such as overdosing by forgetting to take or making a mistake with medications.
My loved ones are sociable and happy.
- They are active and happy.
- They are not as active since a recent illness.
- They do not go out or visit with friends as often since their spouse has died.
- They are increasingly reluctant to leave the house.
- They are depressed and housebound.
