Elderly individuals often require some form of care and assistance during their golden years, because leading an independent everyday life is not as easy as it was once before. Not all seniors will need the same amount of help, though. Some seniors who need help at home will only require part-time assistance while others will require full-time home health care.

However, it can be tough for elderly individuals to accept the fact and admit they need help at home. They want to remain independent and do not want to rely on others. So you cannot always rely on your elderly loved ones to let you know they are having a difficult time caring for themselves.

Often, it is not until a senior suffers from a traumatic event, such as a fall, that they realizing they need help. No one wants it to come to that, though.

Watch out for the following signs if you suspect that your elderly loved one needs some level of home care assistance.

1.Struggles with Activities of Daily Living

If your elderly relative is struggling with activities of daily living (ADLs), then this is a surefire way to know they are in need of help. If seniors cannot handle essential daily tasks on their own, then they cannot continue to live at home safely unless they get assistance. Bathing, toileting, getting dressed, and transferring are just some examples of ADLs that seniors may have trouble with.

One way to tell whether seniors are struggling with ADLs is by paying attention to their appearance. If they look disheveled, they may not have taken the time to properly groom and dress themselves. This could mean they are having a difficult time with personal hygiene, grooming, and/or getting dressed. Unpleasant body odor can be a sign of this as well.

2.Changes in Physical Appearance

From weight loss to signs of injury, there are numerous changes in physical appearance that could indicate that your elderly loved ones are struggling and need help at home.

Seniors who are having trouble eating, preparing and cooking meals for themselves, and/or shopping for groceries can experience weight loss. These struggles may prompt them to skip meals altogether. With time, the lack of food will add up and cause noticeable weight loss.

Without proper nutrients, elderly individuals will not have the strength they need to live their daily lives. Seniors commonly struggle with mobility, balance, and walking, and lack of nutrition will only increase their risk of falling. As such, any cuts, bruises, and other signs of harm can indicate seniors have recently suffered an injury, such as a fall.

3.Behavioral Changes

Pay attention to how your elderly loved one is behaving to see if it is out of character for them. Signs of anxiety and depression are always concerning, but unordinary agitation, aggression, and irritability might indicate that seniors are experiencing some form of dementia. If an elderly individual does have dementia, then it is especially imperative they receive home care. Furthermore, watch out for forgetfulness and memory loss.

4. A Poorly Maintained Home

Just as people value their own physical appearances, people also value the appearance of their living spaces. It is natural for homes to become messy and cluttered as times passes, but people make the effort to restore their living environment back to a clean, presentable space. However, seniors cannot always put in such work to maintain their home if they need help.

Knowing this, when you visit your elderly loved one at their home, pay attention to its maintenance. If they have a lawn, look to see whether the grass has become long and unruly or if it has been cut. Consider the cleanliness of the rooms inside and if it has become too much for your elderly relative to maintain a neat home. In the event their home seems unusually messy or unkempt, the senior may need help from others, such as in-home caregivers, to take care of their residence.

In-Home Care Services from Assisting Hands Home Care

If you find that your elderly loved one needs help to live at home safely, then Assisting Hands Home Care can be of assistance through the in-home care services we offer in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Boynton Beach, FL and the surrounding areas in Palm Beach County. Within our non-medical home health care services, our professional in-home caregivers will assist elderly individuals with activities of daily living and other tasks.

From personal care to meal preparation to light housekeeping, we will provide the care your elderly loved one needs. Our in-home caregivers can also provide rides to appointments and social events, help run errands, be your elderly relative’s companion, and be of service in other ways.

With in-home care services from Assisting Hands, you can feel at ease knowing qualified caregivers are around to help your loved ones.

Source: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/warning-signs-that-elderly-parent-needs-help-138989.htm