Often times, as they start to age, there are signs your loved one may need home care. Though your elderly loved one may be able to live independently in their home currently, a time will likely come when they will need extra help and assistance in managing day-to-day tasks effectively and it is important to know when that time comes.  

Recognizing Signs Your Loved One May Need Home Care  

Aging can be a difficult process to accept for both you and your loved ones; as we age, we never lose that desire to be independent. Along with the loss of independence, some fear they could be a burden to their family members. As you spend time with loved ones, you may recognize potential signs of declining ability to take care of themselves. In this case, the sooner you recognize changes in your loved one’s ability to care for themselves, the earlier you can seek support for them.

5 Signs Your Loved Ones May Need In Home Care  

Potential signs can vary from person to person and can range from being apparent or subtle.   

• Changes in appearance  

Be alert to subtle changes such as when it appears your loved ones may have not shaven in a long time, their hair is messy or dirty, or if they have a certain body odor. As has been noted, these signs may hint at early dementia and the need for help with personal hygiene. Whether they simply neglected personal hygiene or may have believed they did, in-home care can assist with bathing and grooming.   

• Unexplained bruising  

Seeing your loved one’s body spotted with bruises may be concerning, even if the occasional scrape or bruise is often nothing to worry about. These unaccounted-for bruises might mean your loved ones are bumping into things and falling. This might imply that they are experiencing decreased mobility and other environmental factors. In-home care can assist with creating a clutter-free environment.  

• Messy house  

As your loved one ages, they might fight it more difficult to do household chores. You might notice piles of unwashed clothes, dishes in the sink, or spoiled food in the fridge. This should be a major concern, especially if you know that your loved ones are typically clean. Leaving the house in disarray might make the house unsanitary and unsafe for your loved ones to live comfortably. With in-home care, sanitary issues will be addressed, as well as, housekeeping. 

• Weight loss  

While maintaining a nutritious diet is vital at every stage of life, it becomes much more important as our loved one’s age. They may have challenges in the kitchen which may discourage them from eating meals in general. A lack of nutrient-rich meals may cause them to have a weakened immune system, making them more vulnerable to viruses and other illnesses. In-home care can help with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and even provide companionship while eating.   

• Loss of interest in favorite activities  

If you notice that your loved ones have stopped engaging in social activities and hobbies, this may indicate that they are experiencing depression, mobility and memory issues. Your loved ones can be supported to reconnect with their favorite hobbies through in-home care. 

At this point, as you notice these signs or any other changes in your loved ones, have a caring conversation with your loved ones. You want to handle these indications as quickly as possible but also in a way that won’t alarm them. Additionally, communication is always very important and will create an environment of understanding and reduce uncertainty.

The Best Care is Provided at Home  

Compared to nursing homes and other assisted living options, most of our elderly loved ones would prefer to continue living at home. This allows them to maintain independence and autonomy while retaining social connections to family and friends. Furthermore, it puts the weight of managing work-life relationships in the hands of experts like Assisting Hands. You will then be free to focus on personal needs and other tasks without guilt. 

Get in touch with us to learn how to bring that assistance to the people you care about, we can be there for you.     

Assisting Hands Home Care Can Help

Our core purpose is to provide individualized home care that enhances the lives of your loved ones while providing peace of mind for you and your family. We provide services that directly address concerns about the general well-being of your loved ones, no matter the circumstances. Those services include but are not limited to bathing, dressing, laundry, meal preparation such as grocery shopping, making nutritional meals, and dishwashing. But other services include promoting fun activities and creating a safe space for your loved ones to be in.   

Know that there is help available. Great in-home care starts with your assessment and conversation with an Assisting Hands professional. Assisting Hands Rockford at (815) 884-CARE or click here to message us https://assistinghands.com/100/illinois/rockford/contact-us/.   –Chloe McGrath 

References 

Aging, I. on. (2021, May 12). Live-in home care… is it right for you or your loved one? IOA Blog. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from https://blog.ioaging.org/aging/live-in-home-care-is-it-right-for-you-or-your-loved-one/ 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Aging in place: Growing older at home. National Institute on Aging. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home