The path to full-time caregiving is often gradual. It starts with occasional help and slowly becomes a full schedule of both day-to-day tasks and complex medical management. Often, a specific addition to the care plan or a significant event can make the situation unmanageable for a family caregiver. At this point, it may become necessary to hire a full-time caregiver.
Sometimes, physical challenges require more, possibly full-time, care. For example, a decline in mobility or the development of incontinence are often impossible for a family caregiver to manage fully.
Safety issues may also require more intensive care for a loved one. Older patients, especially those with perceptual or cognitive issues, are at a high risk of falls, which must be rigorously prevented. Wandering is a common problem among Alzheimer’s patients, who require careful monitoring.
Behavioral changes can be among the most disheartening changes. An Alzheimer’s patient may become aggressive and paranoid, or a stroke patient may become unable to communicate with others. Depending on the severity of the behavioral problem, it may be necessary to bring in professional help.
To contact an estate planning lawyer at Hook Law Center, call 757-399-7506.
