Seniors aren’t always forthcoming about their challenges when living alone. Your senior loved one may not want to worry you about his or her health issues, or he or she may fear being forced to move from home. Watch out for these six signs your parent needs assistance so you can bring up the prospect of having an in-home caregiver start helping out.
1. Disheveled Appearance
You love your parent no matter what he or she looks like. However, there comes a point where you have to worry about a senior who stops taking care of his or her appearance. This is especially true with personal hygiene, since doing things such as skipping baths puts seniors at risk of health issues, such as skin rashes. Since this is a sensitive subject, make sure to bring it up when others aren’t around. Once you’re ready, simply ask your parent if he or she has challenges with bathing or fears falling in the bathroom. Having someone else help with washing his or her hair may be all it takes to get your loved one freshened up again.
2. Messy Home
This is another one of those areas where you know what’s normal for your parent. While some people live happily with a little clutter, you need to worry about major changes in your parent’s housekeeping routine. Dirty dishes, mold in the bathroom, and trash on the floor are all signs your loved one might need in-home care to clean up the living environment and eliminate health risks.
3. Bare Pantry
A single senior may not eat much, but the pantry and refrigerator should be well stocked. Your loved one’s pantry may be bare because he or she avoids grocery shopping as a result of not wanting to drive. A bare pantry is also another possible sign that memory loss is affecting decision-making abilities. In-home caregivers can easily manage grocery shopping each week so your loved one always has something healthy to eat.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Amarillo, TX, Heroes Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
4. Unpaid Bills
It’s embarrassing to have the utilities turned off for lack of payment, and seniors can be left in a dangerous situation if they don’t pay their bills. This is especially true in the summertime, when having the power shut off could expose them to excessive heat. If your loved one can afford to pay the bills but fails to do so, he or she may be experiencing memory loss. Having someone step in to remind your loved one to do things such as pay the electric bill can prevent embarrassing incidents and possible danger.
5. Minor Health Issues
In-home care is perfect for seniors with minor health issues. Your loved one can benefit from this type of care when he or she needs to be reminded to take medications or needs help with everyday tasks, such as housekeeping and getting dressed, that are difficult to do with an issue such as a hurt back or arthritis.
If you aren’t always able to be with your loved one to make sure he or she is taking good care of his or her health, consider hiring a professional caregiver. In Amarillo, in-home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Heroes Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
6. Dwindling Social Life
The senior years are often a time of loss when friends may no longer be around to spend time with. Seniors may also face social challenges if they no longer drive. In-home caregivers provide companionship and can take seniors to places where they can socialize with other seniors.
If you see any of the signs listed above, talk openly with your loved one about the possibility of hiring a professional caregiver to help. When considering home care services, Amarillo, TX, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits. Rely on the professionals at Heroes Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today at (806) 803-9991 to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.