When Should Families in Annapolis, MD and Surrounding Areas Consider Long-Term Care?

Over time, your senior loved one may need more help with everyday tasks as they age in place. Here are some signs that you should consider long-term care from Visiting Angels Annapolis

Your senior parent or relative who resides in Anne Arundel County may be able to live alone for the time being. If you are unable to consistently be there to assist your loved one with daily responsibilities, or if they are in a short-term medical crisis and need assistance with usual duties, they may require respite care from Visiting Angels Annapolis.

This, however, can change at any time.

If you see a loved one losing weight without exercising or not paying attention to their personal hygiene, this might be a cry for help. They might be suffering from advanced age-related concerns or a chronic illness that makes it difficult for them to care for themselves. If you disregard these early warning signs, your loved one may be injured or suffer a medical emergency, jeopardizing their ability to live independently.

Visiting Angels Annapolis can offer your loved one with all of the help they need to stay in their beloved home with our long-term home care services. Long-term care, according to the National Institute on Aging, refers to services that assist elderly adults in compensating for function loss caused by chronic sickness or disability over time. However, determining if your loved one need more hands-on care may be challenging, particularly if they refuse to tell you or ask for assistance.

You can identify whether your loved one need long-term care by keeping an eye out for these common signs.

Signs It May be Time for Long-Term Care

Your Loved One Has Been Injured

Seniors with mobility issues are more prone to sustaining an injury. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among the elderly. Tripping on the stairway, falling in the shower or taking the wrong step may all cause significant injuries that can take months to heal and recover from. At this time, they will need considerably more thorough care and support as they recover. If their mobility and cognition have been considerably affected as a result of the accident, they may need further support even after they’ve healed.

Seniors who have been injured in a fall and need to recover at home may benefit from long-term care from Visiting Angels Annapolis. From the time your loved one is released from the hospital, we will support them in safely coming home, aiding with daily tasks, and ensuring they are taking the instructions of their healthcare professional. Even if your loved one has healed and you are concerned that they may be hurt again, our home care services may still be beneficial.

Your Loved One Has Been Diagnosed with a Chronic Illness

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic conditions are considered to be "conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both." Many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, asthma and cancer, may make it difficult for your loved one to care for oneself or do daily duties. They may also need the services of someone to keep an eye on them in case their symptoms worsen and they require medical treatment.

Our caregivers not only assist seniors with daily tasks like food preparation and light housework, but we also encourage seniors with chronic health issues to include activities into their daily routines that may help them manage their symptoms and maintain their well-being. In addition, we communicate with families on a frequent basis to keep you up to speed on how your loved one is doing and any changes in their health and well-being.

Your Loved One Has Advanced Age-Related Issues

People's mobility and cognitive capacities decline as they age. Some elderly adults, however, may progressively develop increasingly serious age-related issues, making it impossible for them to live independently. If your loved one eats unhealthy microwave meals because it is too difficult for them to cook on their own, lives in an untidy home because it is too painful for them to sweep floors or dust, is unable to drive because they can't see clearly on the road or suffers from frequent incontinence issues, it is critical that they receive the care they need. These issues may worsen with time, presenting a risk to their health and safety.

Visiting Angels Annapolis offers long-term care in order to assist with everyday tasks that have become too difficult because of substantial age-related difficulties. Furthermore, our caregivers will ensure that your loved one is always comfortable and will alert you if any medical issues emerge.

Why Choose Visiting Angels Annapolis?

Because we believe in a customized, one-on-one approach to care, many families in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold, Severna Park and nearby cities in Maryland pick Visiting Angels Annapolis over other local home care providers for long-term care. This means that your loved one will get care that is personalized to their unique needs and schedule. We will also assist you in finding a caregiver that can provide the care your loved one need while also fitting in with their personality and routine. We will make certain that your loved one has the assistance they need to spend their golden years securely and pleasantly at home.

Call our Millersville, MD office at 410-505-5141 today to schedule a free in-home consultation and learn more about our long-term care services!