As family members, friends, neighbors, fellow parishioners, hair dressers, or others who regularly interact with seniors, it’s important to pay close attention to when an older adult begins to show signs of needing some help and assistance. Signs that an older adult needs help can range from subtle cues to very clear signals. If you notice a change in an older adult’s regular routine, such as lack of hygiene, unmaintained pet care, piling up spoiled food, or forgetfulness—it might be time to suggest help.
Here some common cues that may signal the need for help at home:
- Missing important appointments and regular activities
- Struggling to get up from a seated position
- Difficulty with walking, balance, and mobility
- Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks
- Loss of interest in favorite hobbies and activities
- Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away
- Poor nutritional choices or weight loss
- Forgetting to take medications or taking more than prescribed
- Unexplained bruising, which can indicate prior falls
- Forgetfulness
- Poor hygiene
To keep the older loved one in your life healthy and independent, it may be time to depend on the help of an at-home caregiver. Home care agencies, such as Nightingale Homecare, are an ideal option because older adults are able to maintain their normal routines in the comfort of their own homes, while receiving visits from a caregiver who can help with daily tasks such as housekeeping, bathing and dressing, meal preparation, caring for pets, transportation, exercise, medication reminders, and companionship.
When talking to an older adult about arranging more at-home assistance, remember that communication is key. If she acknowledges that she needs some extra help with daily activities, ask what she thinks would be a good solution. If she doesn’t see any problems, use concrete examples to show her what you’re seeing. And be sure to be honest, understanding and non-patronizing in your speech, as you don’t want to put the older adult on the defensive.
If you live in the areas of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley or Maricopa County, AZ, reach out to Nightingale Homecare for help with daily activities. With our team, local registered nurses evaluate your loved one, and then set-up a plan of care based on individual client need. Care is then provided by the health care professional best suited for the client’s need and request, any time of the day or night. Clients can get assistance with areas that seem to be suffering at home, such as hygiene, housekeeping, and medication reminders.
Whether you’re looking for a few days of care or care over the course of many years, the supportive home care available from Nightingale Homecare is tailored to the needs of your individual situation. Call us any time at 602-504-1555, or complete our simple online contact form to let us know how we can help. Let Nightingale be the helping hand the older adult in your life is reaching out for.
Image courtesy of worradmu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
