How Do you Know When Your Parent Needs In Home Care?

It's not always easy to tell when your mother or father crosses that line from being able to care for themselves and needing a little bit of extra help. None of us like to think of our parents aging. We still see them as they were in our youth, those rock-solid grown-ups we could always depend on. However, while they can still be those people you confide in for sage advice, your parents may eventually need a little bit of assistance with daily routines, such as cooking, cleaning, bathing and remembering to take their medications.

What is in-home care?

Unlike medical assistance, in home care refers to outside help that can allow your parents to live independently...in their own home...longer, more safely and more enjoyably. This can include someone to cook and serve meals, do light house cleaning and laundry, help with bathing and hygiene, keep track of medications and medical appointments and even just someone to keep your mother or father company. In home care can also be useful after surgery until your parent is able to get around and do things for her or himself.

When to know if your parents need non-medical care

The signs may be obvious, such as with a post-surgery situation, or subtler. Just a few signs that your parents need in-home care might include:

• Unexplained weight gain -- this can indicated that they aren't eating regular meals and may need assistance with cooking
• Dusty house -- parents with vision problems may not notice that their home is getting dusty and dirty and may need help with keeping it clean and healthy.
• Lower standards of personal hygiene than normal
• An empty refrigerator or one with spoiled food

To learn more about whether in home care is a good fit for your southern California family, contact Visiting Angels, Reseda and we’ll help guide you through the discovery process.