A Guide for Families
Having the Conversation About Long Term Care

Signals To Look For

The following are signs that it is time to discuss long term care. 

Isolation/Depression

• Is your loved one isolated from social contact? 
• Are his or her sleeping habits, eating habits or activity levels changing?

Daily Activities/Eating Habits

• Is your loved one having a difficult time walking, dressing or eating?

Bruises/Falls

• Has there been an increased susceptibility to falling and bruising?

Cognitive Ability

• Is your loved one’s mental reasoning ability at a level where his or her personal safety and the safety of others is at risk?

Increasing Medical Needs

• Does your loved one need medical care that you or he or she cannot provide?
• Does your loved one’s medication need to be increased? 
• Does he or she need more and more help taking medications? 
• Does he or she use medical equipment like an oxygen tank or need daily or weekly treatments like dialysis?
• Is your loved one in need of rehabilitative care?

Caregiver Burnout

• Is a family caregiver exhausted due to the amount of care your loved one needs?

Medication Errors/Missed Doctor’s Appointments

• Is your loved one mixing up medications, taking them incorrectly or not taking them at all?
• Is your loved one keeping his or her doctor’s appointments?

Household Management

• Can your loved one still manage the components of running a household, such as keeping a checkbook or paying bills?
• Is there a dramatic change in how the house is kept?

Planning for Yourself

Everyone needs to explore their options and share their preferences.

All parties will realize that the process of entering long term care will be much easier if these topics are discussed early and openly.  By dealing with this issue up front, there is less pressure on everyone to discuss this topic.  Remember, it’s never too early to consider your own needs and plan for your future.

>> next