You are or a loved one is getting older. You’re now starting to consider bringing professional care into the home. But how do you determine if a caregiver is really needed or not? Hourly or live-in caregivers can assist with a multitude of tasks and can make all the difference when aging-in-place. To get a better understanding of what it means to age-in-place, click here to read the article What Does It Mean to Age In Place in 2021?
Let’s discuss some signs that might help you decide if it’s time to start the search for a caregiver.
5 Signs a Caregiver is Needed in the Home
Falls or ongoing balance issues
If there are recently increasing numbers of spills, trips or falls or if there is an unsteady gait, this is one of the more serious signs that a caregiver might be needed. Falls can lead to severe injury and just having a caregiver present to assist with walking and daily movement in the home (or outside of the home) can increase safety greatly.
Finding unpaid bills
Everyone forgets to pay a bill now and then. But finding a stack of mail or unpaid bills is a sign that there is something larger happening. A caregiver can assist in the sorting of mail and helping to understand what is time sensitive or needs action and what is junk mail.
Recent or new hygiene issues
If you or a loved one has trouble showering, bathing or washing hair on a regular basis, due to physical ability or even a lack of desire, a caregiver can assist. Bathing or assisting with personal hygiene activities such as styling hair or making sure clothing is washed is a tremendous help.
Previously not seen disorganization in the home
Cleaning and maintenance
When an individual is no longer able to take care of the household duties, such as cleaning, taking out garbage or arranging home repairs, this can be a sign that more help is needed around the home.
Groceries and Kitchen
Are you realizing that your loved one isn’t eating or able to prepare food in the same way they used to? Shopping and cooking ability or appetite might not be what it used to. If you’re finding expired or opened food on a regular basis, this might also be a sign.
A caregiver can help greatly with shopping, meal preparation and food organization.
More than age-related forgetfulness
Of course, getting older means that our minds aren’t always as clear as they were when we were younger. But when it is just a normal age-related memory issue and when should you be concerned that a caregiver might be needed?
Occasional memory issues like forgetting where the keys are or not remembering to take meds every now and then, is normal. We all get busy and forget things. But if memory issues persist, such as consistently forgetting to take medication, not regularly locking outside doors to the home or forgetting names of people who are seen on a daily or weekly basis are more concerning.
When it comes to misplacing something, we’ve all been there. But it’s time to dig a little deeper when the person has the inability to retrace their steps or use critical thinking to determine where the lost object might be.
If you want to learn more about regular aging versus Alzheimer’s, read our full article 10 Examples of Typical Aging Versus Alzheimer’s.
Wrap Up
The right caregiver can help to not only set everyone’s mind at ease and provide a safe home environment, but provide much needed companionship and daily living assistance.
Once you’ve been able to determine if a caregiver is needed to help age-in-place or if you’ll be considering living communities, you’ll be able to start the actions that will eventually bring you and your loved ones peace of mind, and a peace in living.
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Do you have questions about how you can better support your loved one while they age in place in South Florida or regarding homecare in general? Please contact CareGivers of America here: Click here to contact us or call us toll free: 800-342-4197
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*No information in this article is to be taken as advice, medical or otherwise. This post is not sponsored, but may contain external links to websites, articles or product examples. External links are used for example or reference purposes only and these links do not indicate specific product or website endorsement by CareGivers of America.