Top 5 Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Senior Home Care

Most of our aging parents prefer to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible. However, physical and cognitive decline are inevitable parts of growing old. This makes it harder to complete daily tasks of living, and it can even create potential safety hazards. At En Su Casa, we understand that aging in place offers a sense of dignity and independence, so we carefully modeled our services to meet all your loved one’s needs within the comfort of their own home.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the top 5 signs that your aging parent needs senior home care.  We’ll also discuss solutions and senior home care services that En Su Casa can provide to help! 

#1) CHANGES IN APPEARANCE

If you start to notice you parent with poor hygiene or a disheveled appearance, or if you see them struggling to properly take care of themselves, these are signs they may need home care.

• Are they regularly showering and brushing their teeth?
• Are their clothes torn, dirty, or ill-fitting?
• Do they look rumpled and unkept?
• Is any of their clothing soiled?
• Have they rapidly gained or lost weight?

Our senior home care services address all personal hygiene needs. Clients will receive assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, and doing laundry. We also help with meal prep, cooking, and trips to the grocery store. Thereby ensuring your loved one has access to nutritious and non-processed meals.

#2) POORLY MAINTAINED HOME

There’s nothing wrong with a little clutter here and there. But, it’s a red flag if you start noticing significant disorganization and messiness around the home. This can be a sign that your aging parent needs senior home care.

• Are dirty dishes piled up in the sink?
• Is there a lot of trash that hasn’t been taken out?
• Are clothes and personal items scattered throughout the house?
• Is their yard overgrown or unkept?
• Are smoke detectors missing batteries?
• Are several lightbulbs out?
• Are appliances clean and working properly?
• Is there expired food in their fridge and pantry?

Prior to beginning services, we always perform an in-home safety check to identify potential hazards. In addition, our caregivers help with ongoing housekeeping to ensure a tidy and safe environment. By providing more help to maintain a clean and orderly environment, your parent can safely age in place.

#3) CHANGES IN MOOD & BEHAVIOR

If your aging parent is having frequent mood swings or doesn’t seem like themselves lately, this could be a sign that home care is needed.

• Are they losing interest in hobbies and activities they normally enjoy?
• Are they staying connected with friends and family?
• Are they involved in any community groups?
• Are they taking long naps and sleeping most of the day?
• Are they showing signs of depression or loneliness?

One of the most valuable services we provide is companionship. Older adults can easily become isolated from the world, which can affect their mental wellness and cause depression. The presence of a caregiver they trust can offer a lot of comfort, help them socialize, prevent loneliness, and enhance their overall quality of life.

#4) MOBILITY ISSUES

We all start to naturally slow down as we age, but if your parent is struggling too much with daily tasks this can be a red flag. Mobility issues can become a safety hazard for your loved one, putting them at increased risk for falls and injuries.

• Are they struggling to sit down or stand up?
• Do they have a hard time using the stairs?
• Do they seem unsteady on their feet?
• Have they fallen recently?
• Is hearing loss or vision loss contributing to their mobility issues?
• Do they have any bruises, scratches, or signs of limping?

En Su Casa can identify home modifications to make it easier for your aging parent to get around (e.g. handrails, shower seats, walkway lights). Our caregivers also help with light range-of-motion exercises and outdoor walks to keep your loved one active. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that someone is consistently there to provide hands-on assistance with daily tasks that your aging parent might otherwise struggle to do.

#5) COGNITIVE DECLINE

Occasional memory lapse can be normal, but something might be wrong if your aging parent is consistently missing important appointments, bills, and medications.

• Do they seem confused when doing routine tasks?
• Are they missing appointments?
• Are they constantly losing or misplacing their belongings?
• Are they forgetting to take their medications?
• Are they forgetting to pay bills on time or mismanaging their finances?
• Do they sometimes forget where they are or what they were doing?

Our caregivers can help with reminders for important tasks and appointments, provide transportation when needed, and take over chores that are too difficult. Plus, caregivers provide companionship and socialization that can keep your loved one’s mind sharp.

READY TO START EXPLORING HOME CARE?

Have you noticed some of these signs in your loved one? It might be time to consider care options! For more about En Su Casa’s senior home care services, call 210- 922-2960 to speak directly with one of our team members and we can help with any questions you may have.