As you visit your aging parents you may start to notice changes over time. Noticing the little changes can help ensure their health and wellbeing. Mom and Dad could likely use some extra help, help that could keep them out of a nursing home. Look for these signs that a home caregiver could help your aging parents stay in their home.
Struggling to Stand Up
Standing up from a chair and getting out of a car takes a lot of strength. If it takes your parent several tries or a big push to get up, a fall or other health crisis is imminent. Imagine them not having the strength to get out of a bathtub? A home caregiver can help with all of your parents’ daily care needs, ensuring their safety.
Unexplained Bruising
Minor injuries and bruises are usually seen before major injuries happen. These can indicate a balance or strength problem. If your parent says it was just a little accident, it is likely not the only time it has happened. Extra resources like physical therapy or a home caregiver maybe needed to prevent a major injury.
Unhealthy Diet
If your parent’s meals now consist of microwavable meals or snacks, meal prep is likely to difficult for them. Having an unhealthy diet can be bad for their health. A home caregiver can help with diet by grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking with them.
Declining Appearance
Changes in personal upkeep and appearance can be a sign more help is needed. Mom might be seen wearing the same clothes for days or Dad might have stopped shaving. Help with personal care and laundry can help your parents get back to their usual hygiene.
Personality Changes Forgetfulness, fatigue or agitation can all be signs of depression. Your parents likely won’t acknowledge any concerns but they might be noticeable to you. Having a home caregiver can help alleviate some depression by encouraging more activity, keeping medications on track, providing an extra support system and helping them keep a routine.
Housekeeping Is Going Downhill You may notice a change in your parent’s housekeeping standards. Certain cleaning tasks they have always kept up with may now be left out. When you see subtle signs of housekeeping chores declining it is a good time to seek extra help from a home caregiver to take on these daily tasks.
Cognitive Issues
Forgetting words, appointments or repeating themselves are signs of a cognitive issue. Home caregivers can help keep your parents on a routine and remind them of appointments, tasks or other things that need to be done.
Keep an eye out for any of these signs and when the time is right contact our team to get an evaluation on what can be done to help your parents. Our home caregivers will allow your parents to age in their home instead of a nursing home.
