What kind of care is needed?
Seven questions about daily needs, memory, safety, and medical care. We'll show the options that usually fit, and what to do next.
How care needs are usually judged
Care professionals look at three things: how much help someone needs with daily activities, how safe they are when alone, and whether they need skilled medical care. Memory problems change the picture, because supervision becomes as important as physical help.
Needs change, often after a fall or hospital stay. Revisit this quiz every few months, and read choosing the right level of care for the full comparison.
Common questions
What are ADLs and IADLs?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are basic self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. Instrumental activities (IADLs) are household tasks like cooking, managing medications, and handling money. Professionals use both to judge care needs, and long-term care insurance often uses ADLs to trigger benefits.
Who can do a formal care assessment?
A doctor, a geriatric care manager, a hospital discharge planner, or your Area Agency on Aging. State Medicaid programs and the VA do their own assessments for their programs.
Is this a medical evaluation?
No. It's a planning aid. Talk with your loved one's doctor about health and memory concerns.