Your aging in place elderly mother has been living on her own ever since dad passed away. Everything was going well up until recently, when mom started experiencing some serious health problems. You’ve noticed that she could use a hand around the house, but your busy schedule is holding you back. You’d like to hire mom a professional home caregiver but want to be sure before bringing up the topic.
Knowing when it’s the right time to hire an in-home caregiver for an aging loved one is difficult. Using this process will help simplify your decision.
Can Mom Still Perform these Activities?
Because of pride, most seniors don’t tell their adult children that they’re having trouble performing daily living activities. While in mom’s home, look for signs that she could use some assistance in these areas:
- Walking, notably on steps and stairs
- Driving
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Cooking and eating
- Paying her bills on time
- Medication compliance
- Getting up and down
- Cleaning house and doing laundry
Has mom fallen recently? Loss of balance is common in seniors, and that’s another topic they don’t like to discuss with their grown children. It can be frustrating when you’re trying to get an aging loved one to admit they need help. But when a senior’s physical and mental limitations are clearly interfering with their quality of life, it’s time to offer them some assistance.
Has Her Physical Appearance Changed?
Sure, everyone’s appearance changes over the years due to the aging process itself. But beyond that, whenever you’re around mom look for these signs that something’s wrong:
- Accidental burns on her skin
- Unexplained bruises on her body, possibly from recent falls
- Noticeable weight loss
- Stains on her clothing
- A disheveled appearance that’s uncharacteristic
Have You Noticed Cognitive Changes?
As a person gets older it’s not uncommon for them to experience memory lapses that interfere with their daily activities. But if your mom is showing these types of behaviors, she may have cognitive impairment:
- Acting confused
- Wearing the same clothes every time you see her
- Getting lost in familiar locations
- Forgetting the names of family members or objects
- Difficulty performing routine tasks
- Repeating herself over and over while speaking
- Rapid mood swings for no apparent reason
- Trouble completing a sentence
Once your mother starts exhibiting these signs of cognitive decline on a regular basis, the home can be a dangerous place if there isn’t someone else around.
What Else Should I Look for?
In addition to all the tell-tale signs mentioned above, check around her home for these signs that it might be time to find her some outside assistance:
- Piles of garbage waiting to be taken out
- Broken appliances
- Fresh dents and paint scratches on her car
- Smell of urine in the home
- Stacks of unpaid bills and unopened mail lying around
- Carpet and upholstery stains that have been there for a while
- Fridge and pantry are empty
- Dirty dishes stacked up in the sink
- Yard is overgrown and unkept
- Dirty laundry that’s piled up
- Light bulbs aren’t getting replaced
When it’s become apparent that your loved one could use a hand, one of the best ways to keep them aging safely and comfortably in their own home is to hire a professional caregiver from a licensed home care agency.
Compassionate In-Home Care for Seniors in Alabama
Finding a professional home caregiver for your aging in place loved one can be stressful with all the choices out there. Put your mind at ease by contacting Seniors Prefer Homecare. Families have been placing their trust in SPH for many years now because we’re a fully licensed and insured home care agency that carefully screens and trains our caregivers beforehand so they can keep seniors aging safely and comfortably in place right where they want to be.
While in the home, our compassionate caregivers can perform services including personal hygiene, light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal preparation, transportation and companionship. And, all our family trusted amenities can be individually combined within an affordable package that’ll restore your peace of mind! For more information about Seniors Prefer Homecare, or to schedule a FREE consultation for a senior in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL, today, please visit us now at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com.