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Don't Ignore These Nine Signs That Your Mom Needs Help at Home

September 21, 2018
Linda Kunicki
How do you know when your mom has to have senior care services? It's not always clear-cut. Here are nine signs that your aging mom needs help at home.

Difficulties Managing a Home When Health Declines

Some health conditions require senior care services. Your mom may not be thrilled that you feel a caregiver is necessary, but it's for her safety. Here are three of the top conditions that make it hard to live alone.

#1 – Arthritis: Joint pain may lead to poor meal choices. Cutting fresh fruits and vegetables is hard when you can grasp a knife properly. If takeout and frozen meals have become your mom's meals of choice, meal preparation service with a caregiver can help.

#2 – Alzheimer's: As Alzheimer's progresses, your mom may struggle with household management and transportation. Personal care, toileting, and feeding are other senior care services that a senior with Alzheimer's may need.

#3 – High blood pressure: With high blood pressure, diet, exercise, and medications may all be used to lower the condition. Your mom may need help remembering to take medications. She may need encouragement to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. Caregivers can help with that and meal preparation.

Problems With Activities of Daily Living

Activities of daily living are tasks that people do each day for personal care. For some seniors, mental and physical health can make it hard to complete them.

#4 – Bathing: Getting in and out of a tub or shower safely is hard when balance is off. Caregivers provide support while stepping over a tub wall or walking on slippery surfaces.

#5 – Oral care: Brushing and flossing teeth is often impacted by joint pain caused by arthritis. Your mom may also forget whether she's brushed her teeth that day or not.

#6 – Dressing: Fastening snaps and buttons, pulling up zippers, and choosing the right clothing for the weather can prove challenging. Caregivers can help choose outfits suitable to the temperature and help your mom get dressed.

Struggles With Independent Activities of Daily Living

Independent activities of daily living are tasks required to live independently.

#7 – Laundry: Clean clothes, sheets, and towels are one activity seniors may struggle with. You don't want your mom to wear dirty clothes for weeks. Laundry is one step toward staying sanitary.

#8 – Driving: If your mom can't drive, she won't be able to get to stores, doctor's offices, and other businesses.

#9 – Cooking: If your mom can't cook meals, she may stick to packaged foods that are less healthy. Caregivers can cook meals, dine with her, and clean the dishes after.

Senior care plans are customized to meet your mom's needs. Call an agency today to see which of the many services can help your mom age at home. You'll get answers to your questions and learn about senior care rates at the same time.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING SENIOR CARE IN BROOKFIELD, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.