How To Know The Time Is Right For In-Home Care

How do you know when it’s time for in-home care for your loved one? Many people in Oklahoma City, OK, are faced with that decision. The changes may be slow, so pinpointing the best time is often difficult. Maybe you’ve been helping out, but it’s becoming more demanding. Many family caregivers juggle their own work and family life with caregiving duties. Others struggle with their own health issues while trying to take care of a spouse. It can leave the family caregiver feeling exhausted and inadequate on all fronts. It’s difficult to do, but discussing the subject is the biggest challenge and probably the most important.

Start a conversation when you notice personal hygiene issues.

If your loved one can no longer maintain personal hygiene, it’s time to start a conversation and find out why. Is their hair unkept and uncombed for several days? Are they wearing the same clothes for several days, and it looks like they’ve slept in them? Is depression causing the problem, or is the inability to attend to their personal care? Did they forget that days have passed since they last changed clothing, brushed their teeth, or showered?

Is your loved one losing weight?

There are several reasons for sudden weight loss. It can occur because your loved one can no longer cook or they have no desire to cook. Memory difficulties may cause them to forget to eat. Food may not taste as good due to a waning sense of smell and taste, so they eat less. Grocery shopping may be too taxing or impossible without adequate transportation. Chewing may be difficult due to dental problems, or your loved one may have digestive issues that make eating uncomfortable.

Are there memory issues or personality changes?

It’s not unusual to forget things. No matter what your age, it happens. Memory loss may be a problem if your loved one gets lost when they go to a familiar place, can’t follow simple instructions, or ask the same questions repeatedly. Confusion about the month or year or their location also indicates they need more constant care.

• Home safety can be an issue. Cooking, clutter, and doing simple maintenance like changing a light bulb or reaching for something higher in the cupboard can cause a dangerous situation. Having help can keep the home safer.
• Mobility issues can make getting from room to room more difficult. It can result in missed meals and missed medication or result in falls. Does your loved one need more than occasional help due to these issues?
• Is your loved one living alone and isolated from others? Everyone needs social contact or an outlet. Staying active can help keep seniors healthy. A personality change can indicate there’s a problem.
• Getting in-home help can bring peace of mind. It’s an extra hand that allows the caregiver to take a breath and have more time for being the friend, son, daughter, or spouse of the loved one.

For more information, contact us today at LiveBetter At Home