As a devoted family member, you have your senior loved one’s wellbeing at the forefront of your mind and heart. Thus, you’d like your loved one to continue living at home, provided he or she can be comfortable and safe there. Here are six indications your loved one needs the help of a trained caregiver.
1. Neglected Self-Care
Clues are dirty fingernails, body odor, and wearing the same outfit repeatedly. Bad breath can result if your loved one routinely ignores his or her dental care.
Weight loss is a red flag for senior malnutrition. It may be difficult for your loved one to buy groceries, plan meals, and prepare food. Or your parent may have lost interest in eating due to failing taste buds. With age, taste buds can shrink or malfunction. Consequently, an older adult may not detect the full range of flavors in foods. This is one reason for a poor appetite, which is prevalent in seniors. On the other hand, weight gain may also reflect unhealthy eating habits.
A caregiver will patiently assist your loved one with personal hygiene. The caregiver will also take your loved one grocery shopping, make nutritious meals, and help your parent if he or she needs assistance with eating.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care. Danville seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable caregivers.
2. Difficulty Navigating the Home Safely
Poor balance can cause an unsteady gait. If your loved one has difficulty rising from chairs, he or she may have weak abdominal and leg muscles. The same is true if your loved one requires the support of walls or furniture to walk.
Bruises can be evidence of a recent fall your loved one didn’t disclose to you. The CDC reports that 25 percent of seniors fall each year, and some fail to tell their families or doctors. Many accidents result in hip fractures or head injuries. Other factors that worsen fall risk are poor vision, certain medications, and tripping hazards.
A caregiver will ensure your loved one’s safety by maintaining clutter-free floors. The caregiver will also help your parent rise from chairs, get in and out of bed, and navigate the home.
In-home caregivers can ensure seniors stay safe at home. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional Live-in care seniors can trust and rely on.
3. Significant Memory Loss
According to the National Institute on Aging, mild forgetfulness is normal for seniors. Yet chronic memory loss endangers your loved one’s health and safety. Examples of problems caused by cognitive decline are:
- Getting lost on familiar routes
- Forgetting food cooking on the stove or in a microwave oven
- Not taking medicines on schedule
- Missing vital doctor appointments
- Neglecting to pay bills
- Failing to lock entry doors, threatening home security
Severe memory loss can underlie general confusion, a sign of dementia. Moreover, impaired reasoning may hint at Alzheimer’s disease.
A trained caregiver can keep forgetfulness from jeopardizing your loved one’s wellbeing. Moreover, the caregiver will provide stimulating, fun activities designed to boost cognitive health.
4. Social Withdrawal
Roughly one-fourth of adults 65 and older experience social isolation, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. In turn, social withdrawal raises dementia risk by half. It also spawns depression, revealed by a lack of interest in activities your loved one formerly enjoyed.
Often, seniors feel lonely due to the passing of loved ones. Severe hearing loss creates communication challenges. Meanwhile, impaired mobility can make it challenging to leave the house and participate in social activities.
A caregiver will be a compassionate companion for your loved one, providing social and emotional support. Your loved one will have a cheerful friend with whom to play games, work on puzzles, and pursue cherished hobbies. Plus, the caregiver will perform household tasks, such as washing dishes, doing laundry, and cleaning the home.
5. Behavioral & Mood Changes
Dementia can provoke irrational responses to people and situations. For instance, your loved one may hoard favorite foods or hide specific possessions. Or your parent might resist personal hygiene tasks, finding them uncomfortable.
Alzheimer’s disease can make seniors guarded and suspicious, worried that people are stealing their belongings. Or they might become defensive and combative. Pacing and insomnia can reflect anxiety.
A caregiver will make it pleasant for your loved one to complete the activities of daily living. If your loved one is uncooperative, the caregiver will calmly and gently engage him or her. Eventually, your loved one may light up whenever the caregiver arrives.
6. An Unkempt Home
Seniors may not have the motivation, energy, or strength to mow their lawns. Thus, the grass gets overgrown and weedy, luring vandals who think no one’s at home.
Inside, the house might have stacks of mail, newspapers, or other types of clutter. When you look in the fridge, you may find rotting or expired food. Or a kitchen appliance may sit unused because it’s broken. Also possible are faulty air conditioning in summer or a broken indoor heating system during winter.
A caregiver will ensure the home’s utilities are running properly. Meanwhile, the caregiver can alert you to any appliances needing repair. The caregiver can also perform regular housecleaning, maintaining a healthy home setting for your loved one.
If your aging loved one needs help with everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care. Danville Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. To create a customized care plan for your loved one, call us at 925-332-1276 today.
