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Author: Ketan Shah

Making the decision to bring in senior home care is not an easy one, especially for family caregivers who are trying to do the right thing for their aging family members. Knowing the signs of when seniors need more help can make this choice easier.

Personal Hygiene Is Declining

Often when seniors start having more trouble with daily personal hygiene tasks, that’s a good indication that they need more help in general. Some of the signs to watch for could include changes in grooming habits, including reduced bathing. Many seniors change clothing less often and their clothes may be dirty.

Medications Are a Problem

Home care providers can’t help seniors with medication, but when seniors are skipping medication doses that can be a sign that they’re having more trouble in general. Confusion about medication schedules or why they take certain medications might be a sign for family caregivers that other situations aren’t going well, either. It might be a good idea to get seniors in to see their doctors to make sure that they’re doing okay and then go from there.

Mobility and Balance Are Changing

If seniors are experiencing falls or even near misses with a fall, that could be a sign that they’re having more difficulty with mobility. Increased injuries or bruises might be another sign to watch for. If seniors are having more trouble with things like stairs in their homes, family caregivers may want to look at other solutions.

Home Maintenance Is Not Getting Done

Keeping the home maintained is a huge part of ensuring that seniors can age in place safely. A big sign of trouble could be that there’s more clutter or mess than usual or seniors are avoiding household tasks. Senior home care providers can help tremendously with staying on top of these tasks, ensuring seniors are a lot safer at home.

Nutritional and Eating Habits Are Changing

It isn’t always easy to tell when seniors are experiencing changes with their eating habits. But signs like unintentional weight loss or having a lot of expired food around the house are some big clues to watch out for and address. It’s a good idea to talk to seniors about what they’re eating and find out if there are ways to make it easier for them to eat healthier.

Seniors Are Isolating

When seniors start to withdraw or isolate, that’s a sign of trouble. They may be experiencing depression or other mental health issues. It’s important for seniors to get plenty of social interaction. That social engagement keeps their brains healthy and addresses emotional concerns at the same time.

Cognition Seems to Be Changing

If seniors seem to be having more issues with memory or confusion, it’s important to have their doctors weigh in on what’s happening. For many seniors, an underlying health issue, like a bladder infection, or a lack of social engagement are the culprit. But many others are at risk of developing a cognitive illness, so it’s important to determine what is happening.

There are lots of reasons family caregivers might consider bringing in senior home care services. These experienced caregivers can address a variety of different needs and concerns, so it’s never really too early to take advantage of how they can help.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING SENIOR HOME CARE IN MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY. (408) 317-4969