It’s never easy to talk to an aging parent or loved one about their ability to live alone. Watching one’s independence and self-sufficiency wane can be traumatic for both seniors and their family members. However, when seniors start to experience problems that they can’t overcome alone, these issues have to be addressed for the sake of their safety and well-being.
The Rockville senior home care experts of Comfort Home Care provide comprehensive in-home care services throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding areas. Our passion for caregiving helps us ensure that your loved one stays as happy, safe and comfortable as possible.
These are some of the most common signs that it might be time to look into getting your loved one in-home care.
No. 1: Decline in Personal Care
If you notice your loved one wearing dirty clothes or developing body odor, this could mean they are experiencing physical or mental challenges that warrant getting them in-home assistance. Seniors may experience mobility issues that prevent them from doing laundry, bathing, etc. It could also mean that your loved one is having memory issues or a bout of depression.
Poor personal hygiene places seniors at risk for infection and other detrimental health conditions. A decline in personal hygiene should be taken seriously.
No. 2: Household Neglect
If you notice your senior’s home has become cluttered or dirty, trash is piling up, or the sink is full of dirty dishes, they may be struggling to handle these basic tasks. When these types of problems become noticeable, there’s a good likelihood that basic home maintenance tasks going undone as well. Ultimately, this could affect the health and safety of your loved one.
Fortunately, this is usually an easy issue to tackle, either with a little weekly help from a family member or by bringing in outside assistance.
No. 3: Changes in Body or Behavior
If you notice your loved one has begun to lose weight without explanation, it could indicate that they are struggling to prepare meals or simply forgetting to eat. If you notice unexplained bruising, cuts, or scrapes these could be signs they are struggling with mobility or having trouble performing some of the activities of daily living (ADLs).
Behavioral changes or changes in personality can signal a potentially noteworthy issue. This might involve confusion, forgetfulness, depression or a change in communication style or frequency.
Any of these signs could indicate issues that place your loved one’s well-being at risk.
No. 4: Financial Issues
Financial issues are often the hardest to detect, unless you or another family member have access to your loved one’s finances. Some possible early warning signs to look for include piles of unopened mail, calls from debt collectors, bounced checks, late payment notices. Your loved one may be forgetting to pay bills, but it could also be as simple as needing an update for their prescription eyeglasses.
Seniors are especially vulnerable to financial abuse and often fall prey to phone or online scammers. Open a dialog with your loved one as early as possible, to help them avoid any detrimental financial situations.
For more than two decades, Comfort Home Care has been providing exceptional service and value to seniors in Montgomery County, MD. We are committed to providing compassionate, professional care that helps our clients remain in their home as long as possible. Contact us today to request your complimentary in-home senior care consultation.
