If you have recently signed up your elderly parent with a home health care service, you may wonder what information you need to provide their case manager during the first meeting. If so, use the tips below to give them an overall picture of your loved one's health and needs.

Give The Manager A List Of Medications

One key piece of information the case manager will need is a list of your mother or father's medications. Even if you will be administering your parent's medicines, the home health staff still need to be aware of what they are taking so they can watch for any side effects.

For example, if your parent is taking oral diabetes medications, the aide may start to notice that your loved one is starting to become increasingly agitated and sweating profusely. This is a symptom of low blood sugar, so the health care aide would know that your parent needs to eat.

Discuss Your Parent's Dietary Needs And Preferences

Another thing your parent's case manager needs to know is any special dietary needs, as well as food preferences, especially if meal preparation and serving are part of the care plan. If the doctor has ordered a soft diet because your family member has suffered a stroke, the aide would know to place some foods in a blender chop them up before serving.

If your parent is a diabetic on a soft diet, the home health worker needs to know that certain foods should be limited. For example, while mashed potatoes are on the soft diet list, their carbohydrate content means that portions should be smaller to prevent a spike in blood sugar.

Talk About Any Safety Concerns You May Have

During the first meeting, you can also discuss any safety concerns that you may have, as well as options for ensuring your parent does not fall. For example, if your loved one has suffered a stroke, they may be unsteady on their feet. The case manager can make sure all workers know this so that assistance can be given if your parent decides to get out of bed.

The tips above can help guide you through giving a thorough overview of your parent's condition. If you have any further questions or concerns, you can discuss them with your senior parent's case manager, like Caring Health Care Solutions, as well as receive additional guidance on taking care of your loved one in your home.