As we grow older, many of us have to come to terms with the fact that our faculties are not what they used to be. At HomeCentris Frederick, we have not only made it our mission to combat the stigma that surrounds aging. We have also dedicated ourselves to the idea that the longer our seniors can continue to live independently, the longer they will be able to maintain their dignity.
But as the people you love grow older, it can be difficult to determine whether they need a little extra help. Indeed, the signs that your loved one needs in-home care can be difficult to identify. This is especially true as these tend to reveal themselves gradually. But you must monitor the signs that your loved one needs in-home care, especially as they can be a sign of danger to come. This is true even when they do not merit round-the-clock residential care.
Signs Your Loved One Needs In-Home Care
So how can you tell when someone you care about needs extra help? At HomeCentris Frederick, we are in the business of keeping seniors as independent as they can be for as long as they can be. But this has also meant becoming very good at reading the signs of when a senior needs help. Some of the signs that your loved one needs in-home care are:
- Weight loss or weight gain. A senior who lives alone or without help can experience fluctuations in weight. Barring a medical cause, this is almost always a result of poor nutrition and is cause for serious concern.
- Poor hygiene. Failure to bathe or live up to previous standards of personal hygiene can mean that a senior is experiencing pain, impaired mobility, or simply has trouble completing these routine actions.
- Increased forgetfulness. As we get older, we naturally become more forgetful. But prolonged or severe bouts of memory loss are cause for concern, particularly because they can lead to dangerous situations.
- Automobile accidents or near-accidents. The dangers of reduced faculties in seniors are not limited to in-home accidents. If the senior in your life has been driving distractedly or dangerously, if you have seen evidence of fender benders or auto damage, it might be time to intervene.
- Falls or other injuries around the house. We all get a little bit less steady as we grow older, but if falls or other in-home injuries have become more frequent, it could be a sign that you need a professional to come in and assess the home for safety. It might also mean that it is time for some help getting around the house or lifting and retrieving objects.
These are only a few of the signs that your loved one needs in-home care, but even one of these can pose a threat to the well being of the senior in your life.
Living on Their Own for Longer
By addressing these signs that your loved one needs in-home care, you are doing more than getting help for someone who needs it. You are prolonging their independence. However, if these behaviors go unchecked, the results can be very harmful indeed.
Ignoring the signs that your loved one needs in-home care can lead to a more rapid decline on their part, both in terms of mental acuity and physical ability. It can also make it more likely that they will need more comprehensive residential care sooner. Finally, and maybe most importantly, not paying attention to the signs that your loved one needs in-home care can put them in grave danger.
Reach Out To HomeCentris Today
Maybe your loved one needs help. Maybe they need an in-home caregiver. Perhaps it’s time to get your loved one’s home evaluated for safety. Maybe you need to reach out for in-home support services. Whatever you need to do to keep your loved one safe, make the time to do it today. At HomeCentris Frederick, we have built our reputation on extending the independence of seniors. And an essential part of that mission is helping you to identify the signs that your loved one needs in-home care. If you suspect that in-home care might be right for your loved one, contact us today by calling 855.886.8710. The senior in your life will be better off for it.
