Many families want their elderly loved ones to be able to age in place without assistance, hoping it boosts their parents’ mental and physical strength. However, receiving help from family members or professional caregivers doesn’t take away seniors’ privacy and independence. It could keep them safe and slow the aging process. Therefore, monitoring your loved one’s daily activities is important so you can look for these signs he or she may need home care.
1. Unclean Home
Unwashed dishes, dirty clothing, an unkempt yard, and other areas in disarray could be warning signs that you and your siblings need to step in with regular or around-the-clock home care for your loved one. Clutter, bacteria, and other hygiene risks could lead to medical problems, including poor mental health.
2. Bruising
Although individuals of all ages get cuts and bruises, you should be concerned if you regularly observe marks on your loved one’s body. Your parent could be experiencing mobility issues or vision problems. A small bruise could result from a more significant issue, such as internal bleeding due to a medical condition or disease. Having a home caregiver could help your parent prevent cuts, scrapes, and bruises and keep him or her in good health.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
3. Medication Mismanagement
Your loved one could skip medication times due to memory problems or because he or she doesn’t understand how to take his or her prescriptions correctly. Medication mismanagement could also occur because the medicine leads to adverse reactions, such as excess drowsiness, upset stomach, increased anger, or depression. As a result, your loved one’s ability to handle medical conditions or illnesses could be significantly affected. A home caregiver can monitor your loved one’s health and provide reminders when it’s time for your parent to take his or her medication.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Livingston, NJ, Assisting Hands Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
4. Wandering
Walking around the neighborhood without supervision is dangerous for older adults, especially seniors who have memory loss or live with conditions like dementia. Monitoring your loved one’s whereabouts is essential, whether you use a home video monitoring service or receive updates from neighbors and friends. A professional caregiver can watch over your loved one and make sure he or she remains safe at home.
5. Noticeable Weight Changes
Poor eating habits could cause your parent to gain or lose weight, leading to health challenges. For example, if your loved one eats too much sugar and other carbohydrates, it could cause obesity and lead to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or high blood pressure. Home care is an option that allows your loved one to receive assistance with nutritious meal prep and regular exercise routines.
6. Financial Issues
Paying bills on time is necessary to ensure your loved one continues to have necessities such as power, heat, water, and other essentials. If your parent has unpaid bills, including medical expenses, you need to step in to monitor the situation immediately. Regardless of whether your loved one receives home care from you, other family members, or a professional caregiver, it could prevent your loved one from skipping payments for essential services.
The physical changes that accompany aging can make it challenging for seniors to live at home without assistance. 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 in-home care Livingston seniors can trust and rely on. Assisting Hands Home Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (973) 406-4733 to learn more about our customized care plans.
