Sometimes, it can be difficult to acknowledge that you or a loved one may benefit from elderly care provided by an in-home caregiver. But when is the right time to consider this? The individual in need or family members may not be very clear on what conditions or situations are signs that people may benefit from home health care assistance.
In this article we will breakdown major indicators, things to look out for, and how workers such as homemaker companions, home health aides, CNA’s and registered nurses could be of value to you or your loved ones.
Major Signs:
1. Falls
Falls can be very dangerous and sometimes even fatal as the bodies of the elderly are more frail and prone to experiencing cuts, bruising, bone breaks and fractures.
Being on the lookout for any bruises or scrapes that are being covered up could be a big indicator that your loved ones have been falling or having accidents.
Many people may be weaker and more tired as they age, which could cause them to not be able to reach things that are higher up, which puts them at risk of objects falling on them and getting hurt.
Aside from providing daily assistance a licensed home health agency can do an in-home safety assessment to create a safe living environment at home..
2. Difficulty executing daily activities
A big sign that your loved one may benefit from caregiver assistance and long term care is if it becomes harder for them to perform the 6 Activities of daily living, or ADL’s, which include:
Dressing
Bathing
Eating
Transferring
Toileting
Continence
If you notice that any of these tasks become harder for your loved ones to do, you should consult with a doctor or a professional to evaluate if the level of difficulty they are experiencing would benefit from having an in-home caretaker.
If someone has a long term care policy, they should qualify to take benefits as long as their physician will sign off saying that they need assistance with at least 2 of the 6 ADL’s listed above.
3. Hygiene
A very big sign that your loved one would benefit from caregiver assistance is if they start to look more unkept. This could be a big sign that they are starting to lack energy not just for daily activities but also for those that have to do with their own personal care.
Signs of weight loss or weight gain should also be evaluated as this could mean they are suddenly eating too much or not enough, both of which can be concerning as they might be depressed.
If you notice any of these things, it may be worth having a conversation to see if it’s just becoming to difficult or if there’s a lack of drive which could show an onset of depression.
A homemaker companion or home health aide could be there to provide the right level of assistance or just to provide a little mental uplift and support to ensure these tasks get accomplished.
4. Neglection
Something to look out for would be neglecting to do things that you or your loved one had no trouble doing before.
This could be a sign of typical issues that come with age such as mobility issues, arthritis, lessening of touch, smell, vision, memory problems, or depression / lack of drive.
Some examples of red flags would be:
Stacks of unopened mail
Neglecting financed such as missed bills
Pet Neglection: Lack of food, unbathed / matted fur, excessive potty accidents
Bugs or expired food
Grime or dirt around the house
Piled up clutter
Accumulation of items such as takeout or delivery boxes and containers.
5. Escalating Care Needs
If you are currently caring for an aging loved one and they have a certain medical condition that is advancing, or age-related decline is worsening, you may realize that you can no longer provide the care that they need.
A sign that this escalating could be from you starting to experience signs of caregiver’s stress and it may be worth considering some professional caregiver assistance at least for a few days per week.
6. Isolation
Isolation can come in different forms. Unfortunately as health or age creates limitations, many retirees can find themselves “stuck on an island” at home as it’s to difficult to get around. This can create an extremely unhealthy mental and emotional state that can deteriorate health over time.
Also, If you notice your loved ones are seemingly more disconnected from family and friends and their surroundings, it could be a sign that they are experiencing things such as excessive loneliness or depression.
Even if it’s just a few hours per day, a companion or home health aide can provide a huge mental uplift by allowing them to get back to activities that they enjoy such as going for walks, getting them to social events with friends, and etc.
If you can answer “YES” that you or a loved one is dealing with some of the above mentioned items, it’s an indicator that there is probably difficulty with maintaining independence and it’s worth a FREE Consultation to see what options are available to you.
Here at Unified Pledge, we offer a variety of services that could help your loved ones if they are experiencing any of the complications mentioned above. We can assist with activities such as supervision, mobility assistance, dressing, bathing, grocery shopping, as well as other tasks. We also have more advanced nursing care to offer such as cardiac care, drain care, advanced wound care, and more!
Our Care Team Advantages:
Level II FBI background checks of all staff
Driving history checks
Companions, health aides, LPNs are our direct employees and not independent contractors
Constant communication to patients, family, and care team
Registered Nurse supervision is ongoing with every care plan
Call us today for a free consultation by Supervisory Nurse at 561-910-8770.