When to Consider In-Home Care for Your Loved One
Posted on by John Burfield
If you have an aging loved one who lives on their own, you may be concerned about how they handle their activities of daily living (ADL). Tasks such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing and transferring are essential to independent living. If your loved one is having trouble with these activities, it may be time to consider in-home care to assist with these functions. Knowing what signs to look for can help determine if home care is necessary.
1. Declining physical or mental ability
- Trouble with transitioning from a sitting to standing position
- Trouble walking short distances
- Trouble with balance
- Increased incidences of tripping or falling
- Marks or scuffs on furniture, walls and doorjambs from being used to maintain balance
- Sudden weight loss
- Increasing forgetfulness
- Increasing confusion
2. Decline of personal care
- Decreased bathing or showering
- Strong body odor
- Dirty or stained clothing
- Smell of urine or waste in the home
- Lack of grooming
3. Neglecting household duties
- Excessively messy or cluttered home
- Dirty laundry piled up
- Lack of fresh food or groceries
- Spoiled food
- Disconnected utilities
If you notice these warning signs when visiting with your aging loved one, it may be time to intervene. However, this does not mean that an assisted living facility or nursing home is necessarily the next step. Most seniors prefer to stay in their homes if possible and a combination of home care services along with comprehensive home accessibility solutions from a qualified home access professional may make it possible for your loved one to remain in their home safely.
To learn more about how to select a home care company for your loved one, read this article from AgingCare.com.
Source: www.AgingCare.com