3 Signs That It Is Time To Get Home Care For Your Loved One
One of the scariest things about growing older is the diminishing ability to take care of oneself. This situation gets worse at times, especially when the person has a chronic condition or illness. The illnesses that affect older people and incapacitate them include Alzheimer's, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, hearing loss, and vision problems. Even worse, you are likely to suffer from more than one of these conditions as you age. These conditions often lead to the inability to care for oneself and one's surroundings.
If your loved one has reached a point where they need someone to always be around to care for them and you have a busy lifestyle, you should consider getting them home care. This is an arrangement where you hire a nursing aid to help your loved one with daily activities. Here are signs that it is time to get home care.
When the Person Starts Forgetting Things
One of the most challenging conditions to deal with is Alzheimer's. It might start with forgetting names and faces, but as the condition progresses, the thinking faculties diminish, and the person might end up having a very hard time functioning. This forgetfulness can lead to your loved one being a danger to themselves and their surroundings. For instance, if they put something to bake in the oven and forget, it can create a fire hazard in the home.
If you have noticed a pattern of forgetfulness, it is time to hire professional nursing aids.
When Their Personal Hygiene Deteriorates
Diabetes is a condition that can lead to muscle degeneration and incontinence. Incontinence is a very sensitive issue; not many older people have the confidence to admit to it, and most become withdrawn. However, you might notice that their hygiene has gone down by their body odor.
When you hire a competent nursing aid, your loved one will get someone who can help them clean up.
When They Seem Depressed
Another challenge older people face is that their friends start passing on one by one. It also becomes challenging for them to visit one another. This can lead to loneliness and depression.
If you notice that your loved one seems more pensive and sad all the time, hire someone to keep them company.
The most important thing is to hire a qualified and experienced home care expert for your loved one. Ask for credentials, speak to their references, and only hire someone with the right skills for the job.