GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK

By Dr. Marion Somers, Ph. D., Ask Dr. Marion

QUESTION: Is there a list of questions you use when you're hiring an aide? I want to be sure that the aide can handle all of the different elder care challenges. Barbara in New York, 61

ANSWER: I use the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) listed below to interview an aide so we're both clear about the elder's needs. This way, both the aide and I are in agreement as to what activities and tasks will need to be performed. Once hired, I also ask the aide to write in a daily log or use this list as a check-off so it's clear what was accomplished each and every day.

Go over all details with the aide to ensure that he/she knows how to assist with every task listed below. Note that they're listed alphabetically, not in order of importance, and that additional tasks may be needed for your elder.

Personal Care
  • Assist with bath: in bed or in a shower or tub
  • Assist to bathroom and with toileting: bedpan, commode, and urinal
  • Assist with dressing, putting on or laying out clothes
  • Encourage the consumption of fluids per doctor's recommendation
  • Feeding assistance, including the use of adapted equipment and self feeding
  • Foot care assistance, including training in podiatry
  • Hair care, including beauty products, brushing, and the beauty parlor/barber
  • Incontinence care
  • Nail care
  • Oral care/denture care
  • Shaving assistance
  • Skincare assistance
Activities
  • Assist with ambulation
  • Assist with range of motion, only with the advice of doctor or therapist
  • Assist with transfer in and out of chair
  • Attention to bed rails, which should be up at all times that elder is in bed
  • Commitment to providing recreation, both in the home, and the community
Homemaking Assignments
  • Clean bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens
  • Grocery shop
  • Laundry
  • Light housekeeping such as making and changing bed
  • Prepare meals
A senior's needs may change on a daily basis, so the aide needs to clearly understand what's expected of him/her. You also must know if the aide has the training, education, and expertise to carry out these ADLs.

©2006 Elder Health Resources of America, Inc.

 

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