Did you know that there are around 125 million people aged 80 years or older worldwide? As we grow older, it’s common to experience osteoarthritis, diabetes, dementia, and depression. Those dealing with those conditions and other effects of aging may need senior home care services. Getting help reduces the risk of hospitalization, increased safety, and provides one-on-one attention to your loved ones.
What conditions should you be looking for? Keep reading for 10 signs that your aging loved one may need senior home care services.
1. Difficulty in Organizing Their Home
A cluttered house is one indicator that your loved one needs senior home care. Disorganized houses often mean that they find it hard to complete daily chores. This is likely because their cognitive functions are declining.
A professional caregiver could help with some basic organization. With senior support, you can rest assured that your loved one has someone to assist him while you’re at work or attending to other responsibilities.
2. Unkempt Hygiene
Aside from household chores, it can be difficult for your loved ones to maintain their hygiene. This includes taking a bath and dressing, which often leads to the development of body odor. If you notice that your loved ones have unruly facial hair or always wear the same clothes, consider getting home care assistance.
3. Weight loss
If you notice extreme weight loss, they might lack nutrition. This is often caused by the inability to cook, neglecting to eat on time, or losing appetite.
In this case, senior home care services may make a huge difference. Not only will they provide personal care, but they’ll also help make sure that your loved one is eating healthy.
4. Forgetfulness
Are there unpaid bills or are they missing appointments? Leaving everything unplugged or forgetting simple tasks?
Aside from these, your loved ones may find themselves confused about how to get home. Forgetting to take medication can also lead to worsening medical conditions.
When your loved one displays these types of behavior, consider getting help from someone trained to help those with dementia. This also helps prevent serious accidents such as fires and the possibility of your loved one getting lost.
5. Degrading Mobility
Common causes of loss of mobility include old age, obesity, and low physical activity. Chronic diseases, along with impairment of strength and balance, also contribute to mobility loss.
As a result, older people lose their ability to move and the capacity to engage in their hobbies. This causes strain in their social life which may lead to loneliness and cause mental issues.
Further, difficulty in moving will also make it hard for older people to complete daily tasks. This also makes it unsafe for them to drive or go upstairs, especially for houses with high stairs.
Home caregivers will assist your loved one move around the house and complete tasks. They can also serve as their transportation buddy and help them navigate around town.
6. Your Loved One Has Unexplained Bruises
The primary contributor to falling accidents among older people is mobility loss, which reduces coordination and steadiness. As a result, tasks such as changing the light bulb and going up the stairs become dangerous tasks.
In reality, there are 3 million older adults rushed in an emergency due to falls. There are about 800,000 that get admitted to the hospital due to head injury and hip fracture.
As such, if you notice that your loved one often gets bruises from falls or burns, get a senior home caregiver at once. Especially if you’re often out at work or your loved one lives alone. A caregiver can help with dangerous tasks, such as cleaning slippery floors, preventing accidents and injuries that can lead to costly hospital bills.
7. Declining Health
Declining health due to diabetes, heart trouble, dementia, COPD, or other ailments can require a lot of care. In most cases, people with declining health conditions require undivided attention, which many working family relatives can’t give. Thankfully, caregivers are here to help take care of your loved one.
8. Shows Signs of Poor Judgment
You should also be on the lookout for when your loved one experiences increased confusion and show a decrease in their reasoning skills. Such can lead your loved one to make a poor judgment that can lead to financial losses. For instance, they have a higher risk of falling for a sales pitch or investing in scams.
9. Exhibits Poor Changes in Behavior and Mental Status
You should also pay attention to behavioral changes displayed by your loved one. Some of the things that you need to take note of include:
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
- Extreme mood swings
- Increased anxiety
- Starts becoming verbally or physically abusive
- Changes in sleep patterns
Changes in behavior may mean that your loved one is experiencing mental and emotional stress. In such cases, they’ll need a companion who can help meditate their behaviors.
10. Your Loved One Displays Loneliness
From the loss of friends to simply having no house companion, there are many factors that lead to senior loneliness. Symptoms include constant sighing, inability to smile genuinely, and lack of motivation. When your aging parent starts to display these, and it’s hard for you to spend time with them, hire a home caregiver.
Besides home care, caregivers can also keep seniors accompanied. They can play games with them to boost their mental health or take them to social events. They can also assist them in developing a new hobby.
Partner with Us and Get Quality Senior Home Care Here Today!
When you notice any of the signs mentioned above, take action immediately. Talk to your siblings or relatives and have them help you decide on a senior home care plan.
Give your loved ones the support and undivided attention they deserve with home care support from a reliable home care agency. Talk to us today by visiting our website or calling, and we’ll arrange reliable and quality senior home care that your loved one deserves!
