Creating a Care Plan for Elderly at Home: 6 Essential Steps

Caring for an elderly loved one at home is both a privilege and a responsibility. You want them to feel comfortable, safe, and supported, but sometimes it's hard to know where to start. That's where a good care plan and practical home accessibility updates like a stairlift come in. A care plan is a tool for staying organized and consistently meeting your loved one's needs—whether medical, emotional, or practical. Care plans also help make things manageable for you, too. 

The best plans are built with love, communication, and teamwork. Let's dive into how to make one that works for your family.

A care plan is a structured document that details the needs, actions, and responsibilities required to care for someone. A care plan is a vital resource for family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, and is ideally created collaboratively with input from the entire care team, including friends and family. It should address daily needs, long-term goals, and emergency responses.

A well-thought-out care plan benefits your parents and everyone around them. Its benefits include:

• Making Care Consistent: Having a plan helps everyone involved understand the individual's needs, daily routines, and responsibilities.
• Preparing for Emergencies: A care plan includes protocols for emergencies. During critical moments, a care plan reduces stress and guides actions.
• Improving Quality of Life: Addressing medical, emotional, and social needs helps everyone feel at peace and confident in meeting daily and future needs.
• Supporting Caregivers: A clear plan helps distribute responsibilities and manage expectations so caregivers don't feel overwhelmed.

Creating a care plan involves assessing needs, planning actions, and securing resources. While it can seem excessive to write down things you know well, remember it's important to state the facts in the document so that everyone on the care team is on the same page. 

Here's how to get started:

1. Understand and Document Medical Needs

Start by outlining your parents' medical conditions and treatments.

• Medical Conditions: With their permission, consult with providers to understand diagnoses, treatments, and progression.
• Medications: Write down a schedule for administering medications, including dosages and times.
• Appointments: Note regular doctor visits and procedures as well as contact information for providers.  

2. Assess Nutritional and Physical Needs

Next, discuss any dietary restrictions and physical care requirements.

• Dietary Needs: Note some of their favorite meals and recipes. If they live with health conditions like diabetes or heart disease, include favorite foods that align with their needs.
• Mobility Assistance: If your parents need help with activities like bathing, toileting, or grooming, outline the specifics.
• Home Accessibility Updates: Consider installing ramps, grab bars, or stairlifts to support mobility and improve safety. Brighter lights and smart home devices like video doorbells can also make their house more comfortable.

3. Provide Emotional and Psychological Support

Aging can bring emotional challenges that are unique to this stage of life. These are some elements to consider when planning care.

• Routine: Maintaining a stable routine can provide comfort, especially amidst other changes. If your parents rely upon a specific daily or weekly rhythm, write it down in the care plan.
• Social Connections: Encourage activities like group classes, coffee meetups, or hobbies to keep isolation at bay.
• Professional Help: Counseling, therapy, and support groups can help older adults if they are struggling.

4. Enhance Quality of Life and Relationships

Supporting your parents' interests and relationships can help them feel valued and fulfilled.

• Family Activities: Family dinners, game nights, and outings often mean the world to older adults.
• Hobbies and Interests: Help them pursue activities like gardening, reading, or art making.
• Community Involvement: Explore senior groups or community centers for social engagement.

5. Create a Contingency Plan

Prepare for emergencies by identifying potential risks and responses in your care plan.

• Risks: Consider falls, medication errors, or sudden health changes.
• Response Plans: Document step-by-step actions for possible scenarios.
• Accessible Information: Make sure everyone involved knows where to find the care plan.

6. Assess and Adjust Resources

Fulfilling care plans requires delegation and ongoing assessment so the plan remains relevant. Here are some resources to explore and incorporate in the plan as needed.

• Family Support: Assign tasks like grocery shopping, housekeeping, or companionship among family members.
• Professional Help: Hire home care aides or nurses for specialized needs.
• Community Programs: Leverage local resources like senior centers or meal delivery services.

A comprehensive care plan includes:

1. Contact Information: Names and numbers for doctors, caregivers, and emergency contacts.
2. Medical Details: Medication schedules, allergies, and health conditions.
3. Daily Routine: Meal times, hygiene activities, and exercise plans.
4. Emergency Instructions: Steps for handling falls, medication issues, or sudden health changes.
5. Assigned Responsibilities: Clear roles for family members and caregivers.

Mobility is a key factor in aging at home successfully, and a stairlift can make all the difference. At Stannah, we provide stairlifts that offer safety and comfort for your loved ones.

Why Choose Stannah?

• Trusted Quality: With over 150 years of experience, Stannah delivers exceptional craftsmanship and customer service.
• Reliable: Battery-powered for operation during power outages.
• Custom Fit: Designed to suit individual needs and stair configurations.
• Affordable Options: Stairlifts to fit a variety of budgets.

Our Process:

• Free Home Survey: Assess your home and receive a detailed quote.
• Professional Installation: Certified technicians orchestrate a seamless setup.
• Ongoing Support: Our team provides maintenance and assistance whenever needed.

Request your free stair survey today and take the first step toward creating safety and peace of mind for your elderly parents.