Are you noticing your older loved one starting to slow down? If so, it may be time to start looking into how to care for them better. In many cases, home care may be the best option. Providing in-home care for your loved one can not only improve their quality of life, but it can keep them safer. It will also help you lighten your workload since taking on the responsibility of an older family member can be a huge task.
However, sometimes it may be tricky identifying whether it’s time to start looking for home care or not. Here are some of the telltale signs that your older loved one may need more help at home.
Changed Appearance
As you get older, it can become more difficult to take showers or practice basic hygiene. If you start noticing that your older family member looks disheveled or like they haven’t been able to take care of their body properly, it’s a pretty big red flag that they need assistance.
A professional caregiver can help assist with everything from brushing their teeth to putting their socks on. At first, they may not want to admit that they need help doing things like this; however, once they see the enormous help it is having someone there to lend a hand, they’re usually convinced to keep them around.
Messy House
In addition to finding it more challenging to care for themselves, it’s not uncommon for them also to have trouble keeping up with housework. If you start to notice that their yard is looking less than well kept and they have piles of junk adding up around the house, it may be time to call in some help.
Not only is a house and yard in disarray visually unappealing, but it can also invite further problems. A house that hasn’t been properly cleaned could result in a pest infestation. Cleanliness is an important part of staying healthy.
Suffering Health
Another red flag that your older loved one is in need of some extra help is noticing declining health. You may find that they’ve started neglecting their bodies and may have even missed important doctor visits. If they start to require medication or other treatments, it’s important that they have someone there to help them make sure it gets done.
A serious condition left untreated could be life-threatening. The last thing you want is a tragedy that could have been avoided. When seniors start getting forgetful or incapable of doing things themselves, it may be more difficult to trust that it will get done. In-home care is there to make sure that you can rest at ease knowing they’re well looked after.
