Common Signs It’s Time for More Help at Home
When our elder relatives reach a certain age, many of us begin to grow concerned for their overall safety and well-being. Yet, at the same time, it’s easy to overlook obvious indicators that they may need more help at home. Some families avoid acknowledging problems they perceive in hopes to avoid an awkward situation. Others don’t stop to observe changes in their aging relatives and miss the signals altogether.
It’s not just the family members who fail to see that their aging relatives need more help. Older adults themselves often think they’re doing much better than they truly are. If they do need help, they’re reluctant to ask for it for fear of becoming a burden to their family.
Fortunately, there are a few common signs that point to an older adult needing more help at home. If you’re concerned about your aging parents or elder family members, here are five common signs that it’s time for more help.
Declining Hygiene
The first common sign that an aging relative needs more help at home is a noticeable change in their appearance. Older adults who need more help at home may avoid taking baths or showers for fear of falling. They may also forget to comb their hair or wear clean clothes. Pay attention to how your aging parents are taking care of themselves. If their hygiene seems to be declining, it may be time for more help at home.
Unplanned Weight Loss
Another common sign that your aging loved one needs more help at home is unplanned weight loss. Unintentional and sudden weight loss often reflects an underlying health condition, including dementia or depression. The same is true for an unexpected weight gain. As you look more closely at how your aging parents or relatives are looking in appearance, take note of how their clothes are fitting. If they’ve lost or gained more than ten pounds in a month, schedule an appointment with their doctor and make a plan to get more help at home.
Messy Home
Although everyone has a different definition of what a tidy home looks like, another common sign that it’s time for more help at home is a messy home. Is your aging loved one struggling to keep up with everyday household tasks, such as doing the dishes or laundry? Even if they hire a cleaning company to deep-clean their home every week or twice a month, they should be able to manage their home between visits. Take a closer look around their home. If it’s looking messy and that’s uncharacteristic for your aging loved one, it may mean they need more help at home.
Changes in Mobility
It’s common for older adults to notice a slight change in their mobility as they age. However, significant changes in mobility can affect how an older adult engages in everyday life. Is your aging relative or parent avoiding the grocery store because it's too difficult for them to navigate? Are they choosing to stay home more because their gait has significantly declined? Have they had a recent fall or have they experienced multiple falls this year? If so, it could point to the fact that they need more help at home.
Increased Forgetfulness
Everyone forgets things from time to time. What isn’t normal is when bouts of forgetfulness become more and more frequent and interfere with the ability to complete activities of daily living (dressing, toileting, bathing, eating, mobility). Is your aging loved one becoming more and more forgetful? Do they need more reminders to take routine prescription medications? Have they forgotten an important date, such as their birthday or the birthday of a close family member? Are they forgetting plans they made earlier in the day or week? Do they seem more confused? Increased forgetfulness is another common sign that it’s time for more help at home.
If it’s time for your aging parents or relatives to receive more professional help at home, look no further than out. We offer a comprehensive approach to home care that makes it easy for your loved ones to get the elderly care services that they need. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers have helped many seniors in the region live happily and safely in the comfort of their own homes, all while giving their families peace of mind. To learn more about how we can help, please contact us today by calling 847-429-0100.