6 Signs Your Parent Needs Home Care in Redmond
There comes a time for most seniors when a little help becomes necessary to safely continue living at home. Hiring a home care professional like the team at New Outlook Home Care can provide the assistance, social support, and nursing care your elderly parents need to live at home while minimizing health and wellness risks.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy for seniors to speak up when they are struggling at home, and they may fear that by asking for help, they’ll be forced to move to an assisted living facility or give up their independence and autonomy.
Home health care offers a solution that gives you peace of mind knowing your aging parents are getting the care they need without them giving up the home they know and love.
When you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to consider home care services.
More Frequent Injuries or Hospital Visits
Falls are one of the most common causes of hospital visits among seniors, and they can cause significant or even life-threatening injuries.
Falls are common among elderly adults for many reasons, including balance issues, muscle weakness, side effects of medications, and inadequate physical support throughout the home.
If your aging parent has experienced a fall (or multiple falls), there are many types of assistive devices you can install in their home to reduce their risk. However, these solutions may not be enough to fully address the risk.
It’s also important to keep an eye out for bruises, cuts, or other signs of injuries, as aging parents may not readily admit that they’ve suffered a fall or other accident at home.
Confusion or Memory Issues
It’s not uncommon for older adults to forget things here and there, but when memory issues become more frequent, it is cause for concern.
Red flags to watch for are confusion in familiar places, forgetting names of friends and loved ones, frequently repeating the same stories, or forgetting what day it is.
Late or Missed Bill Payments
Another sign of significant memory issues is trouble keeping up with normal activities like opening mail or paying bills.
You may need to provide assistance with financial tasks utilizing tools like online bill pay, and you might also provide organizational systems for physical documents and packages that arrive in the mail.
Unkempt Home Environment
As seniors get older, they may have more mobility issues that prevent them from taking care of their homes. Piled up laundry, dirty dishes, dusty furniture, and excess clutter can be a sign that your loved one is becoming more limited in their ability to care for their home.
These issues can also present hazards that make illness more likely or pose a risk of injuries. For example, clutter can create a tripping hazard that leads to a serious fall.
Declining Personal Hygiene
When self-care becomes less of a priority for your aging parents, it may be time to talk about their home health care needs. You might notice them wearing dirty clothes, failing to brush their hair, forgetting to brush their teeth, or simply losing interest in maintaining their appearance.
A decline in personal hygiene may be a sign of mobility and strength issues, cognitive decline, or mental health issues like depression.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Malnourishment is another common concern that prompts children of aging parents to seek professional home health care.
If your parent has lost weight, is frequently skipping meals, or has lots of expired or rotten food in the fridge, they may be struggling with poor nutrition, which can worsen other health problems they may be experiencing.
Part of home care is preparing meals and assisting with grocery shopping, which will help seniors continue to maintain a healthy diet even as cooking becomes more challenging.
Tips for Relatives Who Live Far Away from Elderly Loved Ones
If you do not live in the same city or even the same state as your elderly relatives, it may be more difficult to monitor for common signs that they’re struggling at home.
Therefore, it is important to maintain contact with neighbors, physicians, and family friends who can check in with your loved one in person and alert you as concerns arise.
How to Start the Conversation About Home Care
Confronting aging parents about their care needs can be challenging, and they may be resistant to start the conversation. Ideally, you shouldn’t wait for a medical crisis to bring up the topic of home health care or assisted living.
Starting the conversation early when you first notice mild signs that your parents may be having trouble maintaining their usual routines can provide more time to work through difficult emotions and research different care options.
When you do begin the discussion, be sure to emphasize that you care about their independence and want to help them remain safely at home. Involving a physician or other medical professional can also be helpful.
When you are ready to meet with a home care provider in Redmond, OR, New Outlook Home Care is here for you.
We’ll begin with an in-home consultation to meet your elderly parents and your family, so we can understand your needs and develop a customized care plan.
Home care may start small with just a few short visits per week, or it may involve daily visits or even overnight care.
We’re here to offer the support your family needs to help your elderly loved ones maintain a better quality of life in their golden years. Contact us today to get started