Most people, especially our aging loved ones, plan to stay in their homes as long as possible. It's rare that people plan ahead for changes in their health or well-being that would demand a change in lifestyle. As a result, support services like Home Care are usually an afterthought.
But utilizing Home Care services early on can help your loved one maintain their independence and remain in their home as long as possible. So, to ensure you have the support you need to make decisions proactively, here are five signs that your loved one would benefit from home care services.
1. Increased Forgetfulness
It's not unusual to forget things now and then, regardless of age or health, like whether you took your morning medications, or locked the door before bed.
But forgetfulness can become a concern if it's ongoing or if it increases in severity. This is because it can lead to larger concerns like missed bills, overmedicating, misplaced belongings, getting lost in familiar places, or misspending money, among others. It can also be an indication of other cognitive concerns like Alzheimer's or Dementia.
If you've noticed signs of forgetfulness in your loved one, or if they've expressed concerns of confusion and having trouble remembering things, it's never too early to find in-home support.
2. Poor Nutrition
It's not uncommon to see aging loved ones shift away from grocery shopping or preparing fresh nutritious meals at home, especially if they're living alone.
In fact, a decline in cooking and eating habits can be a great indicator that your loved one would benefit from a few extra supports.
And since a well-balanced diet can make all the difference in their overall health and well-being, if you notice these changes it's a great opportunity to consider in-home care to help your loved one prioritize proper nutrition.
3. Challenges with Housework
Everyday activities that we often take for granted can become challenging or easily neglected by aging loved ones due to mobility. This can include interior and exterior housework like cleaning, organization, taking out the trash, or home maintenance, among others.
When entering your loved ones' home, take note if there is a pile-up of things like dishes, garage and laundry, or if they're struggling to comfortably navigate around the house.
These things can be indications that housework has been or will soon become challenging, and that while they're still independent, they would benefit from extra support in the home.
4. Inability to Drive
If it's no longer safe for your loved one to drive or if they're without a vehicle or valid driver's license, they may be unable to go to appointments as needed. This may mean that they rely heavily on others to get to and from places outside the home.
If that's the case, your loved one will benefit from in-home care services that provide them with the services and supports that they need at home.
5. Injury or Illness
If your loved one is recovering from an injury or illness they likely require a great deal of care and attention during the recovery. While this support can be managed by a family member or friend, it can be a vulnerable time for your loved one to develop infections, and it can also become quite tiresome for any caregivers.
If your loved one has experienced an injury or has become ill, they would greatly benefit from the help of in-home care services.
Your loved one can receive the professional care that they deserve, like maintaining personal hygiene, receiving necessary medications, treating wounds or monitoring for concerns, and you can take comfort in knowing that they have the support they need.
Your Next Steps
At Cedrus Care Services, our mission is to help your loved one stay in their home as long as possible while maintaining their independence with personalized, in-home and virtual care services.
With the help of our professional care team, you can rest assured knowing that your loved one will receive the support that they need to remain safe and secure at home, and it's never too early to take advantage of them.
For additional questions, or to speak with a professional about home care for your loved one, call Cedrus at +1 343-867-2274 or email info@cedruscareservices.ca.