Addressing your long-term goals
A lot of us are getting older ourselves or are the children or grandchildren of ageing parents. We get by or we do what we can to help ourselves or our relatives. Usually that’s okay. But as we do grow older, what do we value most? Our ability to live in good health with independence. And as the pressures grow, we get more concerned. We could use some help and advice but don’t know where to start or where to turn.
Taking control of your care
Ageing issues can be daunting. Why has my husband fallen so often? Does mum remember to take her medication? I want to remain independent and continue to live in my own home. But would like some support each day. Does Gran need help at home or should we be thinking about other options?
And what do we fear most? Losing our independence. But independent living does not necessarily mean doing things by ourselves. It means being in control of how and when things are done. So start taking control of your future now by assessing your home and your care needs so that you can make sure that the place that you call home is right for you now and right for you in the future.
Housing needs assessment
The Housing Needs questionnaire has been designed to get you thinking about your home’s suitability as you grow older, the availability of local facilities, public transport and mobility options.
Whilst access to health services, safety and security and opportunities for social engagement are important to us, research has shown that housing and mobility are the key factors that affect an older person’s ability to remain independent and engaged in their community.
The Dependency test
The Dependency test asks a series of questions about how you manage on a day-to-day basis. The results will give you an indication of your overall level of needs. And may help direct you in the direction of services that will support those needs. Both assessments can be printed out. And if you have registered on the website you will be able to save them for future reference.
If you select providers of either Home Care or Care Homes, your dependency assessment will be sent to them automatically when you email your enquiry. This will enable each provider in your selection to better determine whether they can meet your needs and begin to estimate what that might cost.
