5 Ways to Know Your Aging Loved One Might Need Help at Home
As we age, taking care of ourselves can become more challenging, especially when dealing with physical limitations or chronic illnesses. However, aging in place is possible when seniors receive the help they need around the house. Home care providers can support seniors by helping with tasks and providing companionship to give family members peace of mind.
Here are five signs your aging loved one may need home care services.
1. Difficulty with Daily Tasks
If you notice your loved one struggling with basic tasks such as laundry and cleaning up around the house, it may be time to consider home care services. Home care providers can help with vacuuming, mopping, dusting, laundry, and even grocery shopping. They can also assist with many other household tasks your loved one can no longer complete due to mobility and other health problems.
2. Changes in Personal Hygiene Habits
Has there been a sudden change in personal hygiene habits? If you’ve noticed that your loved one isn’t showering, bathing regularly, or wearing fresh clothes daily, this could indicate that they need help taking care of themselves. Typically, one of the first signs of needing help is when a person neglects their hygiene.
Signs that a person is struggling with personal care could include an unkempt appearance, strong body odor, clothing that doesn’t fit properly, and more.
A home care provider can help them with daily activities like bathing, grooming, and dressing, so they care for themselves. In addition, they can assist seniors with mobility issues to help them get safely in and out of the bath or shower.
3. Missed Appointments
Has your loved one been missing doctor’s appointments lately? This could be due to difficulty getting around or forgetting about them altogether. Regardless of the reason, missing essential appointments like these could lead to more significant health problems down the line. Without regular check-ups, underlying medical issues could go unnoticed.
A caregiver can remind seniors about important appointments or events so that nothing slips through the cracks. They can also offer transportation services for medical visits or other errands like filling prescriptions. With the help of a caregiver, your loved one can get to where they need to go without the stress and hassle.
4. Isolation
If your aging loved one spends the majority of their time alone, this could be a sign that they are struggling to maintain relationships with other people. Over time, isolation can lead to depression and health issues like heart disease. Unfortunately, this can be a common issue for seniors who don’t have close family or friends nearby.
Although social isolation is common among seniors, it doesn’t have to be this way. Home caregivers can provide companionship for seniors who are living alone or don’t have family nearby who can visit frequently. In addition, having someone to talk to on a regular basis helps keep seniors engaged and active mentally and physically.
5. Changing Eating Habits
If your aging parent or loved one has suddenly changed their eating habits, either eating too much or too little, it might be time for extra support at mealtimes. Maintaining a proper and nutritious diet is vital for seniors to stay healthy. Without adequate nutrition, they can become weak and vulnerable to illnesses.
Signs your loved one is struggling with their diet include extreme weight loss, dehydration, and poor nutrition.
Mobility issues may also affect your loved one’s ability to shop for groceries and to prepare meals. However, having someone around at mealtime can ensure that your loved one gets the proper care and nutrition needed to stay healthy.
Vitamin deficiencies and dehydration can be avoided by having a caregiver assist with daily meal preparation and planning. Caregivers often create customized meal plans tailored specifically to the seniors’ needs and help them adhere to any dietary restrictions or special nutritional requirements they may have. This ensures that your loved one is eating a wholesome and balanced diet.
Conclusion
Caring for an older loved one at home is an incredibly rewarding experience, but sometimes additional help is needed. Hiring a home caregiver can be the perfect solution if the aging loved one in your life wants to age in place but needs assistance with everyday activities.
Home care providers make it possible for seniors to continue living independently while receiving the necessary support they need to thrive. Whether it’s offering companionship, helping around the house, providing transportation services, or preparing meals – home caregivers are available 24/7 to ensure your aging family member stays healthy and happy at home.
At Visiting Angels White Plains, NY serving Westchester County, our team of experienced caregivers can provide the level of care your loved one needs to remain safe and comfortable at home. Contact us online or call 914-696-4200 to learn more about our services.