It can be difficult to know when an aging parent or loved one needs in-home care. They may be trying to hide their struggles and you may be too close to the situation to see how bad it’s really been for them. If you’ve been worried about your loved one and are wondering if now is the time for in-home care, this list can help. Here are the top five signs that caused many of our patients to give our in-home care team a call.
If your loved one is wearing the same clothes for multiple days, has body odor issues, or cannot manage to go to the toilet or take a shower on their own, it’s time for in-home care. A professional carer can visit their home for as little as an hour a day to help your loved one bathe and groom. This can help with their self-confidence and allow them to stay independent in other areas of their life.
Confusion, depression, and anxiety can be a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Many seniors are very good at covering up their forgetfulness, so you’ll need to pay attention to other signs and symptoms that might hint at an issue. If they are experiencing depression, they may be lonely. In-home care can provide them with someone who can sit down and have a cup of coffee and a conversation with them, alleviate some of the boredom and loneliness that could be contributing to their feelings of confusion or anxiety.
This is likely a sign that they are no longer able to maintain their home on their own. Maybe they were once fastidious about their housekeeping, but you are noticing dishes going unwashed and stains on the furniture. In-home care can help with routine chores such as vacuuming, laundry, changing linens, and even the dishes. This keeps your loved one in the home they know while keeping it maintained.
Forgetting to take medication is a danger to your loved one. They might be missing life-saving medication and that could make their condition much, much worse. An in-home care professional and help ensure they are taking the right medications at the right time, even sorting out pills and checking to see they’ve been taken. This can prevent your loved one from having to go to a nursing home.
If you find that your own home, health, family, and well-being is suffering because of the time and energy you are putting into caring for your loved one, it’s time to ask for help. There is no shame in taking care of yourself and ensuring your loved one has the best care possible. An in-home caregiver can provide you and your loved one with the level of support that you need and adjust it as necessary.
Making the decision to get in-home care for your parent or aging loved one is tough. We’ll make it easier, with experienced and caring professionals who will help your loved one maintain their dignity and independence while staying in the home that they love. Start exploring the in-home care option today by giving us a call or contacting us through our website.
