If you’re caring for an elderly parent, don’t wait to get them home care. Waiting to get home care is one of the biggest mistakes family caregivers make when caring for a parent.
Your parent may tell you that they don’t want home care or don’t need help. But home care can help seniors, whether or not they have health challenges. Having home care can help lower the risk that your parent will have a serious fall or accident in the home.
Often, seniors worry that telling their family they need help may cost them their independence. Reassure your parent that needing a little help doesn’t mean they can’t continue living at home.
The best way to talk to them about home care is to let them know you want them to get help before they need it, so that they can be comfortable and safe at home. If your parent resists the idea of home care, watch for early signs they need help.
Know The Warning Signs
If your parent doesn’t want to talk about home care, they may not tell you when everyday tasks start to get more difficult. But signs will show that their ability to keep up with daily tasks is changing.
Watch for these warning signs, and when you see any of them, talk to your parent again about home care:
Their Home Is Getting Messy
One of the first things you may notice is that your parent’s home isn’t as clean as it used to be. There may be dishes piling up in the sink, laundry waiting to be washed, dusty furniture, or floors that haven’t been swept or vacuumed recently.
Your parent may still be capable of doing these chores, but they might be finding them more physically tiring than they used to. Tasks that involve bending, lifting, carrying, or standing for long periods can become increasingly difficult with age.
They Aren’t Eating Regular Meals
Check your parent’s refrigerator and cupboards when you visit. If there isn’t much fresh food in the house, or you notice your parent relying on snacks, frozen foods, or takeout, they may be having trouble managing meals.
Grocery shopping, preparing ingredients, cooking, and cleaning up afterward require a lot of effort. Your parent may decide it’s easier to skip a meal or eat something that doesn’t require preparation.
They Are Wearing The Same Clothes Repeatedly
If you notice your parent wearing the same outfit every time you visit, pay attention. It could mean that keeping up with laundry is becoming difficult. You may also notice overflowing hampers, piles of clothing, or bedding that hasn’t been changed recently.
Laundry can become challenging because it involves carrying baskets, bending, reaching, and moving clothing between machines. Changing sheets can also require significant strength and balance.
They Are Missing Appointments
An occasional forgotten appointment happens to everyone. But if your parent starts regularly missing doctor appointments, hair appointments, social events, or other commitments, they may need some extra support.
Sometimes the problem isn’t remembering the appointment. Your parent may no longer feel comfortable driving, may have difficulty arranging transportation, or may find getting ready and leaving the house overwhelming.
A home care provider can help your parent get ready for appointments and provide transportation when needed. Having reliable assistance can make it easier for your parent to keep up with medical appointments and other important commitments.
Everyday Errands Are Piling Up
Look for small tasks that aren’t getting done. Your parent may be running out of groceries, forgetting to pick up prescriptions, leaving mail unopened, or putting off necessary errands.
One unfinished task isn’t necessarily concerning. But when several routine responsibilities start piling up, your parent may be struggling to manage everything independently.
Home care can take some of those responsibilities off your parent’s plate. A care provider can run errands, pick up prescriptions, shop for groceries, take out the trash, and help with other routine tasks that are becoming difficult.
Their Personal Hygiene Has Changed
Changes in personal hygiene can be an important early warning sign that your parent needs help. You might notice that your parent isn’t bathing as frequently, their hair looks unwashed, they aren’t brushing their teeth regularly, or they are wearing stained clothing.
Your parent may be having difficulty getting into and out of the shower safely. Standing at the sink, getting dressed, fastening buttons, or managing other personal care tasks may also be becoming harder.
Don’t wait for a serious accident or crisis to start another conversation about home care. If you’re seeing several small changes in your parent’s daily routine, offering them a little extra help now may make it easier for them to remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Smithtown, NY, please contact the caring staff at Help at Home today at (631) 859-3435
Help at Home is a top provider of home care services in Islip, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Hempstead & Oyster Bay, and surrounding areas on Long Island & NYC. We serve Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.
Whether you or a loved one is recuperating from an illness or a senior requiring care, we can help. Help at Home is committed to providing quality home care at affordable rates. Helping a patient remain in the comfort and security of their home is our goal. We are the best alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Help at Home caregivers
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