About Maine Home Care Solutions Services

When answering the questions, keep in mind that it is important to be honest about your changing behaviors and habits. Make some notes. We encourage you to be open and honest with yourself and your family about your abilities. We are happy to talk with you about your options for assistance now or in the future.

Nutrition

• Have you noticed that you are gaining or losing weight?
• Are you skipping meals?
• Are you eating balanced meals?
• Is food in the refrigerator spoiling before it is used?
• Are there any issues or challenges for getting fresh food?
• Are you preparing your own meals?

• Are you wearing clean clothes?
• Have you been bathing regularly?
• Have you been grooming? Getting dental care? Have you been shaving?
• Are you maintaining regular visits to the barbershop or beauty salon?
• Are you keeping up with your nail care?

• Are the dishes being done?
• Are the kitchen counters, floor, refrigerator, and stove clean?
• Is the bathroom being maintained?
• Is there increased clutter in your home?
• Is your home being regularly dusted and vacuumed?
• Does your home smell fresh?
• Is the garbage removed regularly?

• Is your car being maintained?
• Have you dented or scratched your car?
• When was the last time you had an objective passenger?
• Do you sometimes drive too fast or too slow?
• Are you using turn signals properly?
• Do you sometimes hesitate when entering/exiting the highway or changing lanes?
• Are you challenged by highway speeds?
• Do you ever become confused or hesitated in routine traffic situations such as a four-way stop?
• Have you ever confused the gas pedal for the brake pedal?
• Have you had slow or inappropriate responses to pedestrians, bicycles, or other vehicles?
• Have other drivers honked at you?

*Driving Safely Information From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

• Do you understand what all your medications are and the reasons these medications are prescribed?
• Are you taking medications in the right dosage and at the right time?
• Is there an excess of unused and expired medication in the medicine cabinet?

• Have you noticed a change in your gait?
• Do you sometimes stumble or drag your feet?
• Are changes in floor level causing you difficulty?
• Are you struggling to get in and out of chairs or beds?
• Have you taken a fall?

• Have you noticed that you sometimes answer questions inappropriately?
• Do you sometimes have trouble understanding when people speak to you?
• Are you aware of the day, date, and time?
• Are you sometimes forgetting small details like where you left the car keys?
• Are you having lapses in judgment like wearing shorts in the winter?
• Are you having trouble completing tasks? For instance, do you get distracted while doing the dishes, then return to the dishes later or forget about them?
• Have you noticed any changes in your mood?
• Do you seem to anger more quickly?

• Are you sleeping a lot more or less than usual?
• Have you lost interest in activities you usually enjoy?
• Do you get dressed every day?
• Have you experienced a loss (spouse, friend, relative, or job)?

• Are you facing any new or chronic health issues?
• Have you noticed any changes in your eyesight or hearing?
• Could you be experiencing any dental issues?
• Are you dealing with chronic pain?
• Are your annual physical exams being maintained?

• Are you paying the bills on time?
• Does the checkbook balance at the end of the month?
• Are you spending money on things you usually would not?
• Can you account for your money?
• Is there unopened mail in your home?

• Do you remember to lock the doors and windows?
• Is there a security system in place at your home?
• Do you have easy access to immediate help if the need arises?
• Are you vulnerable to telephone solicitation?

• Are you staying in contact with family or friends?
• Have you stopped or reduced church attendance?
• Do you belong to any social groups or organizations?

If you observe a noticeable change in your behavior and habits, talk to your family about what you have noticed. Do not jump to conclusions. It may be beneficial to get your physician involved.

Remember that there may be a simple and reasonable explanation for behavior change. Simple modifications to your home can help. You can try increasing the lighting to help with your vision or get clothing that is easier to put on and more comfortable to wear. 
The point is that you should communicate with your adult children and be honest with your self-evaluation. When you are proactive and prepared to act, you can make a smart decision about when to ask for assistance. 

Think about choosing Maine Home Care Solutions. We can assist you with care visits, from 1 to 24 hours to keep you comfortable and safe. Maine Home Care Solutions Director is happy to visit you to talk about how our living assistance options may be able to assist you in your goals to remain independent, safe, and living confidently.