As family members get older, it’s almost as if roles reverse. You find yourself worrying about the wellbeing of those who used to worry about you as a child and wanting to support and care for those who used to be there for you growing up. Whilst many elderly adults wish to stay independent at home, you may be starting to question your loved one’s ability to safely do this and even if they’re telling you they’re more than capable, you may think otherwise.
Sometimes, you may just be over caring and wanting the best for your family members, whereas other times, they may actually need support and they’re just being stubborn. So, to help you differentiate between these two different scenarios, there are some signs to look out for that indicate that your elderly loved one will in fact benefit from some additional support in the form of home care services and these include;
Their home isn’t as tidy as it used to be
If your elderly relative used to be very house proud and they are now living in an untidy home, then this is often a sign that they require some help. They might be struggling to run a hoover around the house these days or stay on top of regular cleaning. Living in a clean and tidy environment actually has a positive effect on general health and wellbeing, and having some assistance with day-to-day tasks can be really beneficial for your loved one in this regard.
They are losing weight
This can be a big problem for older people and whilst some will naturally lose a little bit of weight as they age, if you’re noticing a significant weight loss with no real explanation, this is likley a sign that your loved one needs some assistance to continue living at home. Whether they’re struggling to shop for weekly groceries or plan and prepare their meals, a trained carer will be able to assist with these things and they can even monitor their nutrition and weight too.
Their medication pots are always full
It is likely that your elderly family member takes some medication on a regular basis and if you have noticed that their medication pots are always full and they aren’t requesting repeat prescriptions, then they might be struggling and require some level of care at home. It goes without saying that it is important to ensure that your relatives stay on top of prescribed medication and a carer can help with this, they can also collect prescriptions on their behalf too.
They are frequently injured
As people get older, it isn’t uncommon for them to become frail and this makes any trips and falls more of a worry. If you have picked up on the fact that your loved one frequently has bruises or they’re injured, it may be a sign that they’re struggling to move around their home independently. When they fall frequently, their fear of falling may become worse too and this can have a negative effect on their quality of life, so home care services can make a big difference.
They aren’t getting out and about much
When your elderly relative used to be very sociable and they were always out and about, but they no longer visit friends, pop to the shops or even go for a walk anymore, they may require some care and support. It may be the case that since they’ve been unable to drive, for example, they’ve stopped attending events or participating in hobbies, but some companionship care can give them their social life back and prevent them from feeling lonely and isolated.
Arranging home care services for a family member
Should you pick up on any of the signs above when visiting an elderly family member, it is likely that they will greatly benefit from some extra support and home care services are perfect in this regard. Here at Beloved Homecare, we offer a number of personal and social care as well as household and domestic care services that are perfect for those who are struggling to live independently but are keen to remain in their own home for as long as possible.
We understand that it can be difficult for seniors to stay on top of daily tasks, so we can provide them with the helping hand they require, preventing you from needing to worry in this regard. Our person-centred approach means that we truly care about those who we help and their needs and wishes are always at the forefront of our mind. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about home care services in more detail, simply contact us today, we are more than happy to help in any way we can.