Many adults are choosing to grow older at home instead of moving into a residential or assisted living facility. They cite the ability to keep their friend groups close by, understanding the familiarity of their healthcare teams, and staying involved in civic groups and associations. Even for the best of circumstances, there will come a time when seniors will need some level of home care. These signs may come suddenly or slowly over time, but knowing what they are ahead of time will save everyone involved time and headaches.
What is Homecare?
Homecare is non-medical support that assists older adults live a safer, healthy, and still independent life. Levels of homecare are designed uniquely for each individual but can range from running errands and transportation to around-the-clock care.Signs Homecare is Needed:
Many seniors are hesitant, to flat out reluctant to homecare, but here are six signs that homecare is needed for the health and safety of your senior:-
No longer safe to drive.
Getting the keys for your car gives you a true sense of independence and now giving those keys up is one of the most challenging things for a senior to do because they are losing part of their independence. If your senior is exhibiting signs of age-related conditions that make it difficult or impossible to drive homecare transportation will need to be provided.
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Not completing household chores.
This sign is more difficult to spot if you are not regularly in your senior’s home. When you are present keep an eye open to the cleanliness of the home, bills that are piled up and not being paid, or personal hygiene is beginning to slip. All of these are signs that homecare is needed to assist your senior in living at home.
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Dietary needs not being met.
Your senior’s metabolism will slow down and their tastes can even change as they age, but are they eating in a healthy way? Your senior may simply need help getting to the grocery store or they may need more help in planning and preparing meals. If your senior is not able to healthy feed themselves, it is time for homecare.
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Isolation.
As it becomes more difficult to drive, the house isn’t tidy, or there is no food in the house, your senior will be less likely to invite friends and family over for fellowship. Seniors can make excuses to why they don’t seek out companionship, but isolation will lead to an unhealthy emotional state. Homecare can provide another person in their life to interact with and stay mentally healthy.
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Issues with memory.
As we age our memory does begin to slip, but memory loss can get to a point where it is dangerous. Is your senior forgetting to take medication? Do they forget why they went somewhere? Are all the bills being paid? Homecare can provide a structure to help aide with memory issues so your senior can continue to live at home.
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Accidents are beoming more frequent.
You may begin to notice that it is harder for your senior to get up from their seat or is shaky when they are sitting down. They may even seem unsteady on their feet as they walk or need assistance while they walk. If mobility is an issue, you will want to bring in homecare to assist your loved one.
At BrightStar we know it can be challenging to see these signs in your loved ones, but our mission is to help your loved ones overcome these issues so they can continue to live at home as safely and as long as possible. If you have any questions about these signs, or other signs you may be witnessing, please contact us online, or by giving us a call at 281-367-7827, and we will serve you to the best of our ability.