Is It Safe For Dad To Be Home Alone While I Return To Work?
Is It Safe For Dad To Be Home Alone While I Return To Work?
Knowing if a parent is safe to be home alone is a common concern amongst caregivers. When a family caregiver has to return to work after taking several days off to assist a parent who is recovering from an illness, it is essential that the caregiver determines to the best of their ability if the parent will be safe to stay at home by themselves.
There is nothing worse than being at work and wondering if Mom or Dad are okay at home. But you can minimize this concern and gain some peace of mind by preparing ahead of time.
Three Steps To Take To Help In Determining If A Parent May Be Safe To Be Home Alone:
Their Physical Status: What is their strength level? What is their balance like? Are they able to move about in bed, in wheelchair or walk safely?
Their ability to perform the four essentials safely: Getting food, managing toileting, take medications and access emergency alert systems. (Is the environment setup to allow for this? Is safety equipment in place?)
Allow them to perform all needed tasks while you are present. Days prior to family returning to work, safely and slowly decrease the amount of assistance given with tasks. Stand close and observe all tasks that must be done to endure that they can do them safely. That way you can make any adjustments needed in order to decrease injury risks.
Bottom Line:
Physical and cognitive status play a major part in whether of not a loved one can be at home alone. The inability to manage the numerous components of dressing, toileting, managing medications, getting food and alerting others of safety needs are signs that there can be safety and health issue arise when your loved one is left home alone.
There are home environment changes that can be made and safety monitoring devices that can help make things safer. But when your loved one is unsafe, caregiver support in varying amounts of time are needed. Just know that nothing is 100%, you can make all the necessary arrangements but accidents can still happen, but you must be mindful that you MUST make the arrangements needed. Do you homework, get help, get peace of mind!
Consuela Marshall, Occupational Therapist, Caregiver Coach
Listen to the Caregiver’s Finding A Foothold Episode 36: Is It Safe For Dad To Be Home Alone While I Return To Work? The podcast is available on the FindingAFoothold.com website and on all major podcast streaming sites.
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Disclaimer: The podcast and blog are intended to provide basic information so that you can become a more informed caregiver. The information presented is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice or replace consultation with any health care providers you regularly engage with. Transmission or receipt of any of this information is not intended to, and does not, create a therapist-patient relationship. This information is not provided in the course of a therapist-patient relationship and is not intended to constitute medical advice or to substitute for obtaining medical advice from a physician or therapist licensed in the state where your family may reside. We encourage everyone to consult with your physician or therapist to see if they are appropriate and safe for you.