It can be difficult watching a loved one grow older and having to make hard decisions
like if they need some extra support for their day to day lives. There are, of course,
certain signs that you should be on the lookout for if you have an older loved one that
can help you decide if you need additional support for the care of your senior.
Difficulty with Daily Activities
One of the most surefire signs that an aging parent may need home care is if they have
difficulty doing their daily activities. This can come in many forms such as increased
dependence on help from family members, difficulty eating, and difficulty managing
finances.
This can also manifest itself in psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and
paranoia that can cause a resistance to help. Elderly individuals may feel like those
trying to help them do not have their best interest in mind and resist help, this is
especially true for personal finances.
Frequent Falls
As people age, they are more likely to suffer from disorientation, poor balance, and
limited mobility. All of these factors can make it more likely for an elderly individual to
experience frequent falls. Falls for seniors can be incredibly dangerous especially if they
are living alone and unable to call for help.
This is a major reason that supporting aging parents with in-home senior care services can be so essential because with in-home care they will have someone to help them get around and to assist if a fall does occur.
Memory Loss
Older individuals often suffer from memory lapses and confusion that can make it
difficult for them to get through their day. This can lead to very dangerous behavior
such as wandering around the neighborhood aimlessly or even driving in an impaired
state. It can also lead to strange behaviors such as delusions and hallucinations which
can manifest into aggression.
In-home caregivers help elderly people with memory loss issues by assisting them with
their daily activities and ensuring their safety. Furthermore, they can transport them to
important appointments such as medical appointments to ensure that they arrive safely.
Poor Hygiene
There are many reasons why an elderly individual may suffer from poor hygiene. For
one, things such as chronic pain and vision problems may make it more difficult for
them to complete tasks such as bathing, brushing their teeth, and shaving. Mental
issues such as depression and loneliness may also contribute to poor hygiene as they
may just not feel up to getting cleaned up and instead stay in bed.
Home care for parents who are getting older not only gives these elderly individuals
someone who can help manage their hygiene but also someone who acts as a
companion who keeps them company, reducing loneliness and depression.
Isolation
Isolation can be one of the most difficult parts of getting older and can manifest itself in
many ways that may become apparent. For one, you may notice a social withdrawal by
the individual such as if they used to go play golf or games frequently but now just stay
within their own home.
They may also be neglecting personal needs like going grocery shopping or getting their
hair done which can result in depression and both physical and mental health issues.
Home caregivers are professionals at assisting elderly individuals navigate isolation,
providing companionship and ensuring that they get out of the house when practical to
do important tasks and attend social gatherings.
Household Neglect
Some elderly individuals let their household fall into disrepair or engage in activities
such as hoarding which can be a clear sign that they need assistance with their day to
day lives. This can be caused by many things such as physical issues like the inability to clean their house due to pain or mobility issues or mental issues like depression or
anxiety.
In-home caregivers can assist with many household chores and housekeeping duties to
ensure that elderly individuals have a clean home and can help them understand why
things don't need to be hoarded.
Health Decline
A decline in health may be the biggest sign that you may need to enlist helping care for
aging parents. Some clear signs that a person’s health may be declining include difficulty
sleeping, weight loss, personality changes, and hearing loss.
If left alone, an elderly individual may make medication errors such as missing doses or
difficulty following directions that causes their health to deteriorate even more. An in-
home caregiver can help manage an elderly individual’s health needs and ensure that
they are safe and take their medications properly.
Need Home Care for the Elderly? Contact New Beginning Home Care!
If you have a loved one that is showing any of the signs that they may need extra assistance at home, New Beginnings Home Care can help. New Beginnings is a Philadelphia home care agency that helps seniors around the Philadelphia area with expert in-home care from our highly trained staff of caregivers.
We strive to provide the best home care possible, so your loved ones are safe and well
taken care of. If you need home care in the Philadelphia area, contact New Beginnings
today!