Five Indicators Your Loved One May Need In-Home Care

Trying to decide if your loved one needs in-home care can be a difficult decision. Your loved one may feel like they are losing autonomy, but getting help doesn’t mean giving up – it’s prioritizing health and safety while promoting independence. Knowing more about what in-home care can look like may make the conversation easier, but how do you know when it’s time to start in-home care?

If you notice these five signs, it may be time to seek professional help. 

They’re Becoming Forgetful

Forgetfulness that begins to interfere with daily life is a major sign that your loved one may need more support. Small lapses in memory are common with age, but forgetfulness can become dangerous. 

Some things may be more obvious and concerning, such as an adult forgetting where they live on the way home from grocery shopping. However, you may notice small things like forgotten mediations, unpaid bills, or a full mailbox. These “small things” can still be signs that your loved one needs more help. 

An in-home care professional will manage things like medication and provide reminders for an adult who can still run their home, but needs some assistance remembering from time to time. They can also note these memory lapses and communicate any noticeable changes or decline. 

Recent accidents or worsening health

If your loved one has had an accident, it may be time to seek help. As adults get older, accidents are more likely to reoccur. Having an in-home care professional is a proactive defense against hospital readmissions. 

Even if your loved one has not fallen, you may notice them having difficulty standing or navigating their home. Loss of strength or balance may be an indicator that they need help – their safety may be at risk.

A caregiver can prevent injury by making sure the home is clear of hazards and by providing aid with tasks that an older adult may not have balance for.

Change in Personality

A change in personality is a more subtle warning sign to look out for. You may notice your loved one being more irritable or withdrawn. Oftentimes, older adults become lonely and isolated, which usually leads to depression and eventually cognitive decline. If they have low energy, they don’t enjoy activities they used to, or they don’t like going out often anymore, they may be experiencing depression.

If you notice your loved one seems detached, uninterested, withdrawn, or irritable recently, having a companion can help them get back to feeling themselves again. 

Having an in-home care professional also means having a friend. Home Care Assistance seeks out compassionate caregivers, and matches them to our clients based on personality and interests. Aside from providing a companion, home care may make time with their friends and family more accessible. Learn more about the benefits of companion care in this article from our Learning Center. 

Not eating or drinking enough

Another sign that your loved one may need more help is a significant loss of appetite or weight loss. If your loved one is not eating or drinking enough, they may need help. 

You may not notice weight loss immediately, especially in an older adult, but you may notice decreased physical activity, or they have less energy. 

It’s also important to note these changes and communicate with their PCP, as it could be a sign of declining overall health as well. 

Personalized home care meets your loved one where they are. Whether they need help cooking, or just reminders to eat, in-home care can help your loved one stay nourished and well-fed. 

Difficulty with Day-to-Day Tasks

The biggest indicator that your aging loved one needs in-home help is also usually one of the first signs; difficulty completing everyday tasks is sometimes called changes in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These are tasks your loved one has done their whole life, such as personal hygiene tasks, cooking, and doing laundry, that they now have difficulty with. 

You may notice your loved one wearing the same clothes several days in a row, hair being unkempt or matted, or their home becoming messier than normal. These are signs that it is time to seek help. 

Keep an eye out for an untidy home, an excess of dirty laundry, or spoiled food in the refrigerator. Your loved one may not ask for help, but the signs will be there, and noticing these signs early is essential to preventing a decline in health. 

Decline in personal care can feel undignified. A caregiver can provide respectful assistance to restore confidence. Help with daily living tasks is the most important aspect of maintaining health and wellness while promoting independence. In-home care can do the simple things while your loved one focuses on what makes them happy.  

Is It Time to Seek Help?

In-home care assistance provides your loved one with safety and companionship they need to thrive. It promotes healthy living and provides peace of mind to family members who are concerned about an aging adult. If you are noticing any of these signs, Home Care Assistance can help. Please reach out with any questions, or check out the blog for more helpful articles.