KNOWING WHEN A SENIOR FAMILY MEMBER NEEDS HELP

TribecaCare
28th Feb 2026

senior citizen care in Kolkata

It always happens suddenly. Your elderly parent who seemed so independent and well is suddenly forgetful, dropping things and stumbling over the carpet. Be gentle and discreet. But start your quiet assessment and management process. Ask yourself the right questions:

Are the Problem Areas Associated with Simple Activities of Daily Living?

Difficulty in Keeping Balance?
Difficulty in Dressing and Bathing?
Difficulty in Remembering Simple Things?
Dropping Food?
Spilling Cups of Tea?
Unable to get Up from the Toilet?

Are the Problem Areas Associated with More Complex Tasks of Daily Living?

Managing Finances
Remembering to Pay the Bills
Remembering to Order Food or do Food Shopping
Remembering to Cook Meals
Forgetting how to use the Phone
Uncomfortable with Driving
Forgetting Roads and Addresses

What do you do when you notice this Kind of Deterioration in a Parent?

Get professional help from your family doctor or a geriatrician who can start an evaluation.
The problem may be simple like mild depression or some medication which is causing imbalance and confusion.
Or, there may be a need for physical examination and tests to diagnose whether there is a deeper problem.
For example, there could have been the incidence of a mild stroke which has gone undetected.

Your Next Steps will depend on whether Your Elderly Parent Lives Alone or Has Someone in the Family to Help

First of all, you can assist with the simple tasks or Activities of Daily Living by getting a live-in attendant, nurse or household help. If your parent lives at home with you, you can keep watch and offer to help when needed.

Start with the very fundamental Self-Care Tasks called Basic Activities of Daily Living” (BADLs). They include:

Walking, or otherwise getting around the home or outside.
Feeding, as in being able to get food from a plate into one’s mouth.
Dressing and grooming, as in selecting clothes, putting them on, and adequately managing one’s personal appearance.
Toileting, which means getting to and from the toilet, using it appropriately, and cleaning oneself.
Bathing, which means washing one’s face and body in the bath or shower.
Transferring, which means being able to move from one body position to another. This includes being able to move from a bed to a chair, or into a wheelchair. This can also include the ability to stand up from a bed or chair in order to grasp a walker or other assistive device.

All the Above Activities are Defined under the Katz Index of Independence

The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is a widely used tool for assessing an individual’s ability to perform essential self-care tasks. Developed by Dr. Sidney Katz in the 1960s, this index provides a standardized method for evaluating one’s independence in crucial daily activities.

Importance of the Katz Index for Independence

https://www.atpeacehealth.com/navigating-the-katz-index-of-activities-of-daily-living/

“The Katz Index plays a significant role in assessing a person’s functional abilities and determining the level of support they may require. It is especially valuable in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers, where it aids in care planning and resource allocation.

By using the Katz Index, healthcare professionals can identify areas where an individual may need assistance or intervention to maintain their independence. This assessment helps in developing personalized care plans that address specific needs and promote the highest level of independence possible.

Moreover, the Katz Index allows for standardized scoring and interpretation, enabling reliable comparisons of functional abilities across different individuals and populations. This uniformity enhances communication and collaboration among healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care and facilitating appropriate referrals for additional services or support.”

Understanding the Katz Index and its significance in evaluating independence in ADLs is crucial for both healthcare professionals and individuals seeking to assess their own functional abilities. It provides a structured framework for measuring and monitoring an individual’s self-care skills, enabling targeted interventions to support and enhance independence in daily living.”

Promoting Independence in Daily Living

https://www.atpeacehealth.com/navigating-the-katz-index-of-activities-of-daily-living/

“To enhance independence in daily living, there are various strategies and resources available. By implementing these approaches, individuals can maintain or regain their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). This section will explore strategies to enhance independence and the use of adaptive aids and assistive devices.”

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Strategies to Enhance Independence

https://www.atpeacehealth.com/navigating-the-katz-index-of-activities-of-daily-living/

“Education and Training: Providing education and training on adaptive techniques and strategies can empower individuals to perform ADLs more independently. For example, teaching alternative methods for completing tasks or using energy conservation techniques can help conserve energy and reduce fatigue.

Task Modification: Modifying the environment or the task itself can make it more manageable for individuals. This can include using adaptive equipment, rearranging furniture or items within reach, or simplifying steps in the task sequence.

Breaking Down Tasks: Breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps can facilitate independence. By focusing on one step at a time, individuals can approach tasks with confidence and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Establishing Routines: Establishing consistent routines can promote independence by providing structure and familiarity. Routines help individuals anticipate and plan for their ADLs, making them more efficient and reducing the need for assistance.

Encouraging Self-Care Skills: Encouraging individuals to participate in self-care activities to the best of their ability can foster independence. This includes activities such as grooming, dressing, and personal hygiene. Providing verbal cues or visual reminders can support their efforts.

Adaptive Aids and Assistive Devices

https://www.atpeacehealth.com/navigating-the-katz-index-of-activities-of-daily-living/

“Adaptive aids and assistive devices are tools designed to assist individuals in performing ADLs more independently. These aids and devices are specifically designed to address various physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges. Here are some common examples:”

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ADL	Adaptive Aids/Assistive Devices
Bathing and Personal Hygiene	Shower chair, grab bars, long-handled sponges, toothbrush holders
Dressing	Button hooks, zipper pulls, elastic shoelaces, Velcro fasteners
Toileting	Raised toilet seats, grab bars, commode chairs
Transferring	Transfer boards, transfer poles, slide sheets
Continence	Incontinence pads, adult briefs, bedpans
Feeding	Adaptive utensils, non-slip mats, plate guards

‍“The selection of adaptive aids and assistive devices should be based on an individual’s specific needs and abilities. Working with a healthcare professional or occupational therapist can help determine the most suitable aids or devices for promoting independence in ADLs. By implementing strategies to enhance independence and utilizing adaptive aids and assistive devices, individuals can maintain their autonomy and perform ADLs with greater ease. It’s important to regularly assess and reassess the individual’s needs to ensure they have the necessary support and resources to promote independence in daily living”.

Much of the valuable information in this Blog has been sourced and cited from www.atpeacehealth.com. The paragraphs within quotation marks are from the link https://www.atpeacehealth.com/navigating-the-katz-index-of-activities-of-daily-living/.