Determining when exactly your parents need help with personal care and tasks around the house can be difficult. But one thing is for sure: they won’t be the ones to tell you!

Most seniors want to stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible. Because of this, they may hesitate to tell their loved ones when they have reached a point where they need home care. Seniors value their self-sufficiency and do not want to feel weak or vulnerable by asking for help. They may also fear losing their independence and control over their lives or becoming too much of a burden on their adult children and other loved ones.

However, if your elderly parents need help, even if they won’t admit it, it is best for them to receive the care they need to ensure their safety and well-being. You can help your senior parents by looking out for signs that it may be time to consider home care. In this guide, we discuss the most common signs that your senior loved ones may need home care as well as how to talk to them about receiving the care they need.

How to Tell When Your Senior Loved Ones Need Home Care

Determining when a senior loved one needs home care can be challenging, especially if they insist that they don’t need extra support. If they aren’t openly expressing their need for assistance, it’s essential to look for signs that suggest home care could improve their quality of life and provide the help they need.

Typically, when a senior needs assistance to be able to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), this is the first indicator that they may need home care. Determine if your senior loved ones need assistance performing any of the following:

• Dressing and grooming
• Bathing
• Toileting
• Walking
• Eating

While needing assistance with at least one ADL is a good indication that they may need home care, you should also watch out for the following issues with your loved ones:

• They forget things: Your parents may be missing appointments or forgetting where they parked the car. Forgetting things like this is common among seniors as they age, but if this happens consistently, your loved ones could be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• They no longer travel: This doesn’t mean traveling long distance. If they tell you they are no longer running errands because they feel tired, don’t drive at night, or stop attending special events, this is a sign that they need help with transportation.
• Loose clothing: If you notice unexpected weight loss, this may be a result of them foregoing healthy meals or skipping meals altogether. If they tell you they no longer cook because it’s too much of a hassle or they don’t go grocery shopping because they don’t have the energy, this is another sign they need assistance.
• Spoiled food in the fridge: Leaving items in the back of the fridge to become moldy on occasion is one thing. If all the food is bad or expired, there is cause for concern as this could be the result of cognitive impairment.
• Car has dents of dings: These are signs that your parent may have trouble driving. Conditions like neck arthritis or physical distress may be preventing them from turning their head to park the car effectively.
• House is messy: Poor memory, vision impairment, and limited mobility can make it difficult for your loved ones to take care of their home, which can result in the house becoming untidy, cluttered, or dirty. Look around to assess the level of cleanliness to determine whether or not their home still provides a healthy living condition.
• Unkempt appearance: Poor hygiene is often an indicator of cognitive decline. Neglecting to shower, brush their hair, or maintain personal cleanliness may suggest memory lapses or physical limitations, signaling the need for caregiver support.
• Unpaid or overpaid bills: Cognitive issues and/or poor memory can also result in forgetting to pay bills or overpaying them, which can threaten their financial stability.
• Unexplained bruises: This is often the first sign of injury due to falls. If they are unable to explain their bruising, consider researching a home care agencyto help with fall prevention.
• Hold on to furniture for support when walking: A cane or walker can only do so much to prevent falls and provide support when walking. Tripping hazards can cause major injuries, especially if a caregiver is not present.
• Not taking medication: Aging adults will often forget to take medications, which can also be a symptom of the early stages of dementia. This is a sign that they will need medication reminders to maintain a healthy condition.

Injuries and Medical Emergencies that Trigger the Need for Home Care

The issues mentioned above gradually become worse over time which is why it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint when your loved ones need the help of home caregivers. However, there are times when a traumatic event like a serious injury or medical emergency can trigger the need for immediate home care. These events may include the following:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Major injuries from a fall
• Severe cognitive decline
• Cancer
• Serious illness

Depending on the severity of the injury or condition, your loved ones may require temporary home care to aid in their recovery, such as in the case of a heart attack or injury. However, if the injury or medical emergency leaves them in a condition in which they can no longer care for themselves without assistance, they will require ongoing home care.

Taking Action to Seek Home Care Services

If you’ve noticed any of the above-mentioned signs indicating that home care might be necessary, it’s time to take action. While discussing the need for home care services can be challenging, there are ways to make the conversation more comfortable.

For instance, when they mention difficulties with self-care or home maintenance, use it as an opportunity to offer your support. Let them know you’re there to help, approaching the topic with empathy and understanding. Ideally, these discussions should take place gradually over time, rather than in a single, overwhelming conversation.

Consider asking your parent’s doctor to discuss the need for home care during their next appointment. Hearing it from a trusted medical professional can often help them better understand that home care is necessary. Sometimes, a straightforward solution—like a new pair of glasses, physical therapy, adjusted medication, or hearing aids—may be all that’s required.

However, more complex situations may call for additional support. If you’re feeling overwhelmed during this transition, reaching out to a local senior center could provide valuable guidance and resources to help your loved ones feel more at ease.

Getting Home Care Services

Many older adults shudder away from the thought of moving to a nursing home as they feel lonely, dependent, and unwilling to live in an unfamiliar environment. This sentiment is common among seniors, and the high cost of nursing homes only adds to their hesitation.

An increasingly popular option for seniors is senior home care, which allows them to maintain their independence without leaving the comfort of their home. Caregivers provide essential assistance with daily activities such as personal hygiene, mobility, eating, and transferring.

In addition to these core tasks, home care services include meal preparation, transportation, light housekeeping, and more, ensuring your loved one enjoys a healthy diet and avoids the stress of errands like grocery shopping. Beyond physical support, caregivers also offer companionship to help alleviate feelings of loneliness or depression. They build personal relationships with your loved ones over time by engaging them in meaningful conversations and activities they enjoy.

Reach out to a home care agency like Assisting Hands Home Care, and they will address any questions you have regarding the care for your senior loved ones. They might just offer the ideal solution to keep your parents healthy and safe while giving you the peace of mind you deserve.

Call Assisting Hands for a Free Consultation

Determining when your aging parents need home care is never easy, especially when they are reluctant to ask for help. However, recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps can ensure their safety, comfort, and overall well-being. By approaching the conversation with empathy and understanding, you can help them transition smoothly into receiving the support they need while preserving their dignity and independence. Home care services offer a valuable solution, allowing seniors to age comfortably in their own homes while receiving the necessary assistance. If you’re noticing concerning changes in your loved one’s daily life, don’t wait—explore home care options today to provide them with the best quality of life possible.

At Assisting Hands Home Care, we help ensure the safety and well-being of seniors in their homes with our senior home care services. We take the time to understand the unique requirements of your loved ones so we can create a tailored care plan. The goal of our home care services is to provide your loved ones with the care and assistance they need to continue living independently at home.

Assisting Hands Home Care proudly serves Lombard, Glendale Heights, Villa Park, Itasca, Elmhurst, Bensenville, Addison, IL and the surrounding areas in DuPage county with professional home care services. Give us a call at (630) 526-6522 for a free consultation.