It’s difficult for any of us to admit that we’re no longer able to completely care for ourselves. Acknowledging that our bodies no longer give us the autonomy we crave can wound our pride; above all, it's an admission of aging.
That’s why, in most cases, your loved one won’t be the one proposing the idea of home care. Unfortunately, the burden falls on you to recognize the signs yourself. Courtesy of the compassionate staff at Maximum Care, here are five signs suggesting it may be time to look into home care for the person closest to your heart.
Worsening Health Conditions, Including Weight Loss
We all experience decreases in our health as we age; in many ways, it’s the definition of aging. But start to take notice if your loved ones’ health is dropping precipitously. Chronic problems such as memory loss, heart failure, and bronchitis will only worsen with age, and there will come a point where your loved one won’t be able to manage their condition alone.
Be aware of sudden weight loss, as well as poor hygiene. Observe things like body odor, nail length, and dirty fingernails. Check clothing to see if there’s an abundance of stains, or laundry that has piled up.
Excessive Clutter at Home
It can be disconcerting to enter your loved one’s home, only to find it looking like a hoarder took up residence. Finding stacked newspapers, expired or stale (or even excessive) food, and unpaid bills are all warning signs that your loved one’s daily life has become unmanageable.
Monitor the health of their plants and pets as well. Dying or browning plants can be a sign of depression or chronic neglect, while an untended pet is another sign that your loved one is struggling with daily tasks.
A Change in Emotional States or Social Relationships
Are you finding your loved one experiencing more frequent mood swings than usual? Are they unusually quick to anger? Remember that a person’s emotional state can impact their safety. Be vigilant of mounting examples of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Check in on their friends, as well as other family members. A lack of social connection and isolation are often signs of depression or heart problems in older adults. If you have a parent who used to attend a weekly social event – but hasn’t been seen in weeks or even months – it's time for you to intervene and find out what’s troubling them.
Careless Driving
If your loved one is a driver, keep an eye for scratches and dents on their vehicle. This could be a result of reckless driving. Many factors affect our motor functions, so an uptick in careless driving could be due to failing eyesight, cognitive decline, or excessive fatigue. You should also be keeping strict track of their medications and making sure they aren’t risking any impairment on the road.
Accidents or Close Calls
Has a loved one been involved in a fall or a medical scare recently? Even if it thankfully wound up being a close call, older people are more suspect to repeat incidents. If they were involved in an accident or fall, how long did it take them to recover? Were they reluctant to seek help themselves? Needless to say, your loved ones’ involvement in any such incident is a serious matter that must be addressed promptly.
Help is a Phone Call Away
That number is (610)-264-2353. If you’ve noticed any of these signs – or several of them – it may not be time for immediate panic. But it is time to start considering your options. Here at Maximum Care, our dedicated caregivers offer a variety of services, from errand running, light housecleaning, meal prep and much more. To learn more about the services we provide, schedule your free information session today.
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