Like most life-changing decisions, the choice of whether to hire a caregiver for your senior is a difficult one.
Many times, older loved ones are unwilling to admit to having trouble doing the things they used to do. They resist the idea of a caregiver, because for them, relying on someone else means losing their independence. This can present a problem for adult children because without the obvious signs, in some cases they have the burden of determining when their loved one needs help.
In order to know whether to hire in-home care, there are a few things to look for. Many of which may not be obvious at first glance. Not to fear. Freedom Home Care put together a list below to help make getting the assistance your senior needs, a little easier.
Your senior shows difficulty performing everyday tasks like:
- Dressing and grooming
- Toileting
- Bathing
- Breathing
- Walking
- Eating
- Moving
- Sitting
How your loved one is faring socially and emotionally could also offer clues as to whether they require a little assistance. Here are some things to be aware of:
- Stress and frustration
- Depression and loneliness
- Little to no social interaction
- Decreased interest in things they once enjoyed
Other areas that could offer some insight into your senior’s well-being include:
- Mental and physical health
- Change in eating habits
- Frequent falls and bruising
- Sleeping more, but having less energy
- Challenges washing clothes and cleaning the home
- Requiring adjustment in medication
- Difficulty keeping track of time
- Forgetfulness
- Changes in mood
- Missed appointments
- Poor use of judgment
- Challenges getting up and down
- Decline in personal grooming habits like infrequent showering, unpleasant body odor, unbrushed hair, dirty nails, stained clothing
Of course, an inability to perform regular maintenance of the home or other responsibilities is also a tell-tale sign. Here are some other things to look for:
- Stacks of unopened mail
- Unkempt yard
- Unkempt home (less tidy than usual)
- Trouble completing regular tasks like cooking
- Suspicious looking dents or scratches on the car (more accident prone than usual)
- Urine or other unpleasant smells in the home
- Late payment, notices or calls from bill collectors
- Utilities turned off due to missed payments
- Spoiled food or lack of food
Once you identify the signs, the next step is finding friendly, compassionate care from a licensed home care agency. That’s where Freedom Home Care can help. From in-home care to alternative care, we meet all of your loved one’s home health needs.
