Care Decisions - Checklist

Perhaps you are considering home care for your relative, taking care of them in your home. Or, perhaps you may move your relative to a care home.

In any of these situations, you must make a decision about the care of your relative. This is not an easy decision. Change is very difficult. You must consider your relatives physical and medical requirements and how much care he or she needs.

You must also assess the effects of care giving on your time and your needs. Because there are so many things to consider when making this decision, we've developed a checklist. The first part of the checklist is designed to help you assess your relatives needs. From there, you'll be guided through assessing your needs and your family's needs.

	The Loved Ones Needs - Consider the following:
	Have you assessed your relatives limitations and capabilities?
	Have you developed a list of your relatives specific needs?
	Have you thought about your relatives eating, sleeping and personal habits?
	Have you obtained an evaluation from a health or social care professional?
	Have you gathered information on all your options?
	Have you talked with your relatives doctor?
	Have you talked to your relative about your concerns for his or her welfare?
	Have you identified the pros and cons of the service or home?
	Have you considered the care and activities provided in the home?
	Does your loved one require 24 hour a day care?
	Is it important that your relative live near his or her friends?
	Have you ensured that the environment is accessible and safe for your relative?
	Have you assessed your relatives financial position?

	The Family's Needs - Consider the following:
	Have you talked with your family members about their responsibilities?
	Do you know how much help other family members are willing to offer?

	Your Needs - Consider the following:
	Do you have a back up plan in case your initial arrangement doesn't work out?
	Is it important that your relative lives near you?
	Have you considered the effect your choice will have on your personal/leisure time, vacations, time with friends, and activities?
	Have you researched your relatives disease or illness?
	Have you thought about obtaining guidance from outside resources, for example, a social worker, doctor, solicitor or a independent financial advisor?
	Have you considered all of the financial obligations?

The choices you make will affect your loved one, as well as you and your family.

Printing and reading this checklist will help guide you through the decision-making process. Keep it with you as you tour Homes or discuss options with your relative. The checklist will help you determine which environment best fits your relatives needs. Because this can be a complex decision, you may want to obtain guidance from outside resources, such as:

A Social Worker -
to help you through the emotional difficulties and to co-ordinate the multi-disciplinary assessment that will help shape your or your relatives decision.

 A Doctor -
to help you understand diseases or illnesses, what treatment is required, and how it may progress.

 A Financial Planner -
to assist with understanding your relatives finances and to see what arrangements can be made to meet the cost of care.

A Solicitor -
to help with any legal issues, including buying or selling your relatives home And, once you've made your decisions, remember to allow time for you, your family and your relative to adjust to the changes.

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