Each person progresses through retirement differently. Some aging retirees may be perfectly capable of independent living, while others may benefit from assistance. But as people age, there will be physical and mental changes. That said, the services of a home health aide may be beneficial to continue living independently.
So, when is it time to hire a home health aide?
When considering the ideal assistance for your senior parent, you need to look at their situation. Watch out for signs. Sometimes these signs may show up gradually. Other times, it comes out of the blue.
Deciding to hire a home health aide may be difficult, but it can assist seniors in living a safe, comfortable life.
Signs a Senior May Benefit from a Home Health Aide
Weight Loss
This sign is easy to miss, especially when you see your aging loved one daily. Weight loss may go unnoticed until it becomes extreme. So, if your parent looks thinner than normal, take it as a sign.
Weight loss from forgetting to eat: Some aging seniors lose weight because they forget to eat. This could be attributed to memory problems. For instance, if your parent cannot recall eating, the services of a home health aide may be beneficial.
It is advisable to consult with your parent's physician when considering home care options.
Weight loss due to physical challenges: Another common reason for weight loss is physical challenges. Some aging seniors may find it difficult to prepare food. That said, they may avoid doing basic tasks. A health aide companion can assist your elderly parent with tasks that are becoming a challenge.
Accidents and Unexplained Bruises
Has your loved one slipped and fell recently? Or have you noticed new bruises that may be from bumping into furniture?
Maybe it is time to look for in-home care options.
Slip and falls are an unfortunate yet common occurrence for retirees that carries a high mortality rate due to recovery complications. To lower their risk, having someone there assist them is highly beneficial.
Additionally, check your parent's home for fall hazards. This includes the stairs, clutter, and more. Decrease the risk of a fall. And look for options to improve the safety of their home. A licensed home health agency can perform and in-home safety assessment and make recommendations.
Change in Appearance and Behavior
Physical changes can be a sign that your aging loved one may benefit from extra assistance at home. A few changes to watch out for include:
Personal hygiene
Poor diet
Wearing dirty clothes
These changes could be a sign that they need assistance in their daily activities. A health aide can provide assistance with bathing, grooming, and other daily activities
You also need to watch out for behavioral changes. Here are some common signs:
Loss of interest in activities
Aggressive outbursts
Extreme mood swings
A home health aide will not only provide assistance in daily living but offer companionship as well to improve mental well-being.
Memory Problems
Whether it is a minor memory problem or Alzheimer's, it can significantly affect your parent's quality of life.
Here are a few indicators that your parent may have an early onset that is undiagnosed, and in addition to consulting their physician, would more than likely benefit from in-home care:
The mailbox is overflowing
Mail and bills are left unopened
Late payment notices
Missing important appointments
Increased confusion
Forgetting a birthday or forgetting to open mail is distressing enough. But problems like forgetting to eat or take medications or forgetting to turn off the stove can put them at high risk.
Having a home health aide around can mitigate a lot of these hazards and provide a little more piece of mind to the family.
Age-Related Health Problems
As people progress through retirement, there will be age-related health problems. Some seniors might have arthritis, diabetes, mobility, or other health issues.
If your elderly parent has any of these age-related health problems, maybe it is time to consider a health aide.
They can assist your loved one when taking medications. They are trained to measure vitals such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, and more. Plus, these professionals also offer assistance with prescribed light exercises and other ranges of motion.
Home Health Aide Assists Seniors to Live Independently
90% of aging retirees living alone prefer to maintain their independence. They may also be worried about being too dependent on others.
Lessen your loved one's worries. A home health aide will assist in improving their quality of life while maintaining independence. With an in-home care service, your parents can comfortably remain at home!
What can you expect from a home health aide?
Aside from performing all duties offered by an elderly companion caregiver, they also provide the following assistance:
Daily living activities including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, and continence.
Medication management and administration
Measuring vitals
Assistance with prescribed light exercises and other ranges of motion
Assistance with mobility devices like wheelchairs or walkers
Full List of Home Health Aide Services
Most importantly, a health aide will also provide your family, as well as the Supervisory Nurse, with documentation of the services they provided.
What Should You Do Next?
Deciding the best care option for your aging parent can be overwhelming. Hiring a private home health aide is one of your many options.
With their assistance and experience, you can create a safe, healthy, and happy home life for your loved one. Choose what's best depending on your parent's unique and changing needs.
One of the best things about home health aide services is that it is delivered in the comfort of your parent's home.
If you are researching in-home care options for your senior parent, Unified Pledge Home Health provides a FREE consultation.
Ask questions. Seek advice from a Registered Nurse to determine the level of assistance beneficial for your parent.
A reputable home health agency will also perform a complementary in-home care assessment. This is usually done by a registered nurse.
Hiring professionals from Unified Pledge comes with the following 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
Contact us today for a FREE consultation by a Supervisory Nurse at 561-910-8770.