10 Warning Signs That Loved Ones Need Home Care Services
Admitting the need for Senior Home Care Services isn’t easy. Many older adults may be reluctant to face reality or give in. There are warning signs, however, that in-home care will soon be necessary.
Sadly, Mom and Dad are often the least likely people to tell you how hard day-to-day life may have become. But with age, accidents happen - from slipping or tripping to missed meals and medication.
It may be time to introduce your loved one to the idea of senior home care if you notice any of the following warning signs:
1 - Poor Personal Hygiene
Declining hygiene standards can be a glaring warning sign that one of the fundamental tasks of daily life has become too difficult. Or it could be a sign of deeper memory issues.
If your loved one has begun having uncharacteristically poor hygiene issues, then it may be time to ask if they need any help.
Naturally, this could be a sensitive subject, so asking if they could do with handrails or more accessible tools in the bathroom can be a good ice breaker.
Soiled clothing, dirty clothes and consistently bad body odor are red flags that need addressing fast.
Senior home care services can provide a caregiver that can help with hygiene tasks, such as bathing or laundry - removing the burden from you and ensuring your loved one is clean and cared for.
2 - A Dirty and Cluttered Home
If your loved one’s home is constantly dirty or a mess, then chores may have become too overwhelming to manage. Clutter such as piles of garbage, stacks of dirty dishes or dirty floors are often red flags.
Other safety issues such as broken lights, fire detectors or other electronics that haven’t been fixed are concerning too.
If your loved one has been struggling to keep their home clean and safe, then a senior home care service can help visit every day, or whenever needed. to help them keep on top of things.
3 - Confusion
Consistent confusion or memory problems that inhibit your loved ones’ day-to-day life may be an indication of dementia, mismanagement of medication or another medical condition.
Warning signs may include getting lost, forgetting what they were doing, forgetting previously easy-to-remember information or general confusion.
Thankfully, senior home care services can be put in place to allow your loved one to remain in their home with a supportive schedule and caregiving program.
4 - Medication Mismanagement
Medication mismanagement isn’t something you should overlook. Overdosing or missed medications can result in serious health risks.
Keep an eye on whether your loved one’s medications are in an organized weekly pillbox and that they have a clear understanding of their medication routine. If they are struggling to keep up with their medication routine, it can be a sign of a deeper problem.
An in-home care provider can ensure your loved one is given their medication on time and at a time of day that benefits your loved one’s mood and daily lifestyle.
5 - Loneliness.
Loneliness is something that sadly affects a large number of seniors. Unlike many other warning signs, it can affect all of us, regardless of medical conditions.
If your loved one has seemed down or you know they’re alone throughout the day, then consider talking to them about it.
Sometimes it can be the small things that hit us most when it comes to loneliness - quiet dinner tables, lonely walks and isolated evenings.
Additionally, a lack of interest in hobbies could suggest they’ve got no one to share them with.
An in-home care caregiver can be there for your loved one when your family is too busy. Often caregivers can help out with meal preparation, which provides some much-needed company around a sensitive time.
Other common examples include going on walks with a caregiver or having someone to spend the afternoon with.
- Social isolation is shown to increase a person’s risk of premature death significantly.
- Social isolation is associated with around a 50% increase in dementia risk.
- Loneliness is associated with causing a nearly 4x increased risk of death among heart failure patients.
6 - Falls
Falling or tripping is one of the big red flag warning signs of needing senior home care services. They can be an undeniable sign that your loved one struggles with their mobility and is at-risk and in need of support.
Falls are the number one cause of disability for people over the age of 65. With a caregiver, your loved one can prevent these severe consequences. Whether it’s assistance getting from the house to the car or clearing the house of obstacles and clothes piles, a caregiver can provide invaluable fall prevention.
- 36 million seniors fall each year - resulting in over 32,000 deaths.
- Every year over 300,000 seniors are hospitalized for hip fractures.
7 - Driving Difficulties
For many people, driving equals freedom. That can make it a difficult subject to tackle. But if your loved one has been in fender-benders or received dents and traffic tickets, then it may be time for assistance.
Consider taking a drive with your loved one to see firsthand what their driving is like these days.
Thankfully, ride-sharing apps or in-home care providers can ensure your loved one isn’t prohibited from moving about and traveling like they currently do.
- Older drivers have higher crash death rates than people aged 35-54, primarily due to increased vulnerability in a crash.
8 - Unexplained Injuries
Bruising, other scrapes and minor injuries can often be a warning sign that your loved one has been struggling with their balance and hiding the reality of their struggles.
You should ask your loved one how they got their injuries and consider solutions such as handrails or an in-home caregiver.
9 - Missing Appointments
If your loved one has been missing appointments at the doctor or with friends and groups, then they may be struggling with organizing their day-to-day life.
Consider asking them if they need help to stay on track and could do with someone taking them to and from their appointments.
10 - Upset
Finally, it may seem obvious, but upset and emotional difficulties recently may be a warning sign of difficulties at home. It may signal that they’re struggling to come to terms with their aging or that one area of life is testing them.
Talking is the best way through. Naturally, some relationships can have trouble opening up about their feelings, but it’s better to cross that bridge now than leave your loved one struggling for years without help.
Senior Home Care Services in Tampa, FL
If your loved one needs home care in Tampa, FL, then please contact Visiting Angels today. Whether you're ready to get started or would like to learn more, we'll be happy to have a conversation with you or your loved one.
You can call us at 813-909-2550 today.