As with most initial referral questions, if you have trouble finding a geriatric screening program, check with the county social service agency, local or Area Agency on Aging, or call the senior referral number in the white pages of the phone book. Assessing Personal Needs and Capabilities Equally as important but usually more difficult than assessing medical needs is determining what sort of personal, non-medical care is needed and what aspects of daily life a person can still manage without outside assistance. The question of the need and ability to care for oneself is not simply a matter of physical competence. Often, it is just as much about personality and emotional state. So, in addition to what kind of care is needed and the providers who are available and affordable, the ultimate decisions should depend a great deal on how important it is to the elder to remain in control of his or her own life.
Some people fiercely hold on to personal independence and privacy.
For these people, who also have the ability to organize, manage and pay for individual programs to meet their specific needs, staying at home and receiving only minimal outside assistance may be both possible and extremely important. Others may be willing to have an outside agency organize a more comprehensive care program, as long as they or their family members remain in primary control of daily life. For these people, an agency-directed program of home care in a family residence or in secured housing, perhaps combined with adult daycare, may be most appropriate if there are also family members willing to give additional assistance. Still other people, however, prefer the security and ease of complete care organized and provided by others. For them, a residential care facility may be best, even though they may not physically require the high level of care offered there.