It’s difficult for adult children to deal with the decisions concerning their elderly relatives. As their parents grow older, it can be difficult to determine if changes in behavior are simple quirks or signs of deterioration. Since adult children tend to have a family of their own at this point in their lives, it’s tough to decide if their elderly loved ones need to receive home care services.
Is It Time to Bring Home Care to Your Household?
You can’t be in all places at once, especially if you’re juggling several responsibilities simultaneously. Besides being responsible to your elderly parents, you may also have a family of your own to raise or a career to maintain. For these reasons, it’s vital to consider the reality of your situation on whether you should request in-home care to benefit you and your elderly loved ones.
In this article, we’ll share three signs you should consider before requesting home care services.
1. Higher Risk of Falling
It’s common to request home care services when a loved one is experiencing a severe physical illness. However, you don’t need to start with a critical disease before knowing that your elderly needs help.
Everyone has experienced the odd feeling of tripping accidentally, even when they’re walking straight on flat surfaces. However, this event can be more dangerous to the elderly. Since they’re much older, their bone density and muscle recovery are much weaker than before. This makes them more prone to severe injuries, even after a simple fall.
2. Mental Issues
Besides the physical signs of lack of agility or balance, you must also consider their mental capacity as their mind grows weaker. If they’re becoming more forgetful or unable to grasp concepts rationally, they may be suffering from mental illness.
Another potential sign you should watch out for changes in their environment. Sometimes, their home or room can be unkempt or messy not due to their negligence but the unawareness of their surroundings.
3. Loneliness and Idleness
Growing old and living life in retirement isn’t always a walk in the park, especially for some elderly individuals fond of activities and engagement. If they’re too vulnerable to walk outdoors and meet their peers, it’s not uncommon for your elderly loved ones to develop depression from their isolation and loneliness. For this reason, they may benefit by having someone to accompany them, even on set days in the week.
A home care expert doesn’t just provide medical care to a patient. In fact, they do wonders for someone experiencing loneliness and isolation since they can provide some much-needed companionship. Besides performing routine exercises or assistance in medical aid, home care experts can also be a friend to your elderly parents. This change in being isolated will be a welcome addition to their environment, making them more active and positive in their outlook in life.
Conclusion
The decision to bring extra help in the house to care for your elderly parents won’t be easy. In fact, it’s important to discuss it with all members of the household to brace for the transition. Once you’re ready to welcome a professional into your home, it’s vital to search for the right health care provider for you thoroughly. Doing so will save you hassles later on and ensure that your elderly loved ones are safe and comfortable in their hands.
Gateway Home Health is a home care agency with locations in Denver and Colorado Springs. Our clinicians and therapists are prepared to give the best level of comfort and care to your elderly loved ones. Contact us today to request more information!