As our parents and other loved ones get older, it can be challenging to determine when they need additional support. Oftentimes, it’s noticeable changes in their physical abilities, cognitive functions, or emotional well-being that are indicators that they would benefit from senior home care. Understanding and recognizing these signs early on can help make sure they receive the necessary care to maintain both their quality of life and as much independence as possible.
Take a look at three important indicators that can help you recognize if your loved one could benefit from at home care services:
#1. Changes in Personal Hygiene and Home Maintenance
One of the first signs that your loved one might need elderly home care is a noticeable decline in their personal hygiene habits or tidiness around the home. You may observe things such as:
- Neglecting daily self-care and grooming routines, such as showering, brushing teeth, combing hair, or changing clothes.
- An increase in clutter or disorganization in the home, which could even lead to hoarding and/or health and safety hazards.
- Forgetting to wash dishes, clean surfaces, take out the trash, or other common household maintenance tasks.
If you notice one or more of these changes, it could indicate that your loved one is struggling to keep up with daily routines and may benefit from some at-home care to help maintain their personal hygiene and household cleanliness.
#2. Cognitive and Physical Limitations
Another key sign that your loved one might need senior home care assistance is if they are struggling with physical activities or cognitive tasks that were previously feasible for them. This can include but is not limited to things such as:
- Trouble with mobility, such as having difficulty walking, frequent falls, or struggles with balance and coordination.
- Forgetting to take prescribed medications on time, skipping doses, taking the wrong medications, or overmedicating.
- Increased confusion, memory loss, or difficulty following conversations. This might include aptitude or focus challenges or incomplete tasks such as forgetting how to write a check or fill out a form, or forgetting to turn off the stove or oven.
At-home care services can provide varied levels of support with things like medication reminders, physical activities, chores and household tasks, light exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation, all of which help promote your loved one’s physical safety and mental and emotional well-being at home.
#3. Social Withdrawal and Significant Mood Swings
Emotional health is equally as important as physical health, and a decline in normal social interaction or out-of-character mood changes can be signs that your loved one is struggling. Look out for:
- A reluctance to leave the house or participate in activities they previously enjoyed.
- Signs of depression or anxiety, such as irritability, mood swings, or expressing feelings of loneliness or fear.
- Increased isolation – no longer taking an interest in interacting regularly with family and friends.
If you notice these alarming signs, it might be time to consider an at home care provider. Whether you need a full-time at-home caregiver or simply someone to provide respite care for a primary caregiver in the family, this type of critical support offers companionship, social engagement, and emotional support, which together helps to combat feelings of isolation and enhance your loved one’s quality of life.
How All Seasons Homecare Can Help
At All Seasons Homecare, we provide compassionate senior home care services tailored to the unique needs of each individual client and the wishes of their family. Our experienced caregivers can assist with daily routines, medication management, social engagement, light cooking and housekeeping, and more which will allow your loved one to age safely and comfortably in the familiar setting of their own home. It doesn’t matter if they need regular at-home care 7 days a week or you need someone to help with occasional respite care, our dedicated team is here to help all families find peace of mind and guarantee their loved ones receive the support they need.
Pay attention to the signs. and if you notice anything concerning in your loved one’s behavior, don’t wait to reach out. Contact us at All Seasons Homecare by calling (925) 363-4900 to learn how we can help improve their quality of life and simultaneously give you peace of mind with personalized at-home care.