When Do My Parents Need at Home Care?

Caring for a loved one can be complicated. Decisions like whether or not to seek home care for your elderly parents are not easy and there are no simple answers. You will have to weigh needs along with your parents’ wishes and financial resources in order to come up with the best solution.

Home Care in Dallas TX: When Do My Parents Need at Home Care?

The fact is, as people age, they become less able to take care of themselves and may have specific health needs. At some time, they may be unable to meet even simple needs when living by themselves. Happily, there are solutions available. Hiring caregivers to provide at home care can be a tremendous benefit both to elderly parents and to their children.

There are certain signs that can help you to determine whether your parent needs in-home care. Paying attention to these signs is an important part of caring for a loved one.

The signs include:

Poor Hygiene.

Your parent may need at-home assistance if they are unable to keep themselves clean (including not bathing or shaving regularly). They may struggle with household chores and be unable to do their own laundry. Signs of this include a cluttered, dirty home and the neglect of personal appearance. By getting your parent an in-home caregiver, you can ensure that they are properly cared for and that their homes and bodies are kept hygienic.

Excessive Forgetfulness.

As your parent gets older, keeping medical appointments becomes even more important. However, this is the point at which they may suffer from cognitive difficulties. If you find that your parent is routinely missing his or her medical appointments, you should seek help. An in-home caregiver can ensure that they make it to their appointments; they can also make sure that your parent takes their medications in the prescribed doses and at the right times.

Injuries.

Unexplained bruises and other injuries may indicate that your parent has trouble maintaining their balance or has other issues that necessitate the services of an in-home companion.

Not Socializing.

Having a social life can greatly improve your parent’s quality of life. It has been shown that those who socialize live longer lives when compared to reclusive seniors. Of course, it is entirely possible that your parent has outlived all their friends. An in-home caregiver can give them someone to spend time with and with whom they can interact. If they do have friends, they may be unable to leave home without help; a caregiver can provide assistance there as well.

Not Staying Active.

Exercise is important for good health, regardless of a person’s age, but it is essential for the elderly. Being sedentary can result in the faster progression of certain illnesses, while exercise is good for both mental and physical health. Exercise can also help to promote good balance and help your parent to feel better. An elderly person living alone may not get enough exercise. An in-home caregiver may be able to take your parent for walks or help them to engage in other activities so that they will get their daily dose of physical activity.

It is entirely natural for your parent to want to stay at home. For many people, having to leave home for an assisted living facility or nursing home can be traumatic. An in-home caregiver can provide the level of care that will make staying at home a safe option. The caregiver can handle errands and the basic daily tasks with which a senior may struggle when living on their own.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Dallas, TX, please contact the caring staff at Custom Caregivers today. Call us at (972) 702-7988.