It can be challenging to give up the idea of caring for a loved one with physical disabilities on your own. This is especially true when you are not sure if they will need help in the foreseeable future, but you must consider possible changes and plan accordingly. You may find that hiring a home health aid at this point will allow both parties to adjust more comfortably and smoothly over time. Here are some signs it might be time to consider a home health aid for a loved one.
Mobility Problems
If your loved one is currently using a wheelchair, scooter, or other devices to get around and you find it more difficult to help them with transportation than expected, it might be time to consider hiring a home health aid. A skilled and trained caregiver will assist with daily activities like grocery shopping and doctor’s appointments, making your life easier. If they are not getting around on their own, they’ll probably need someone who can drive them and assist them with walking and transfers, which is another reason why home health aides are so helpful for those in this situation.
Bathing and Dressing
It is normal for people of any age to begin having trouble bathing and dressing on their own as they grow older. This is a sign that it might be time to consider a home health aid for your loved one if you find yourself having difficulty assisting with either of these activities, especially if they continue to decline in their abilities and need more help than ever before. It may eventually become too much for you alone to handle, especially if you have to do these activities with your loved one. This means that they will need more assistance than usual, and it is time to consider adding a home health aide or nurse to the family to get the restorative care they need to stay safe and healthy.
Difficulty with Cooking
It is normal for people of any age to have trouble cooking as they grow older, particularly with mobility difficulties. This can be very dangerous for seniors with physical disabilities without the help of others. This is why you must consider hiring a home health aide or nurse even if your loved one insists that they do not need anyone else in the household, as several dangers can arise when an individual is unable to provide for themselves.
Difficulty in Managing Finances
One of the most common signs that seniors need skilled home health care is having difficulty managing finances or paying bills by themselves, which can mean putting themselves in danger of fraudulent activities and unfair treatment. It is important to take this seriously if your loved one is struggling with this task on their own. This can be very difficult to see, especially when you are so close to the situation, but it is best for everyone in the family if your loved one can have a trusted home health aide or nurse assist them in managing their money.
Frequent Trips to the ER
Another sign that it might be time to consider hiring a home health aide is if your loved one begins making frequent trips to the emergency room for more serious injuries than usual. It can be normal for seniors with physical disabilities to have some difficulty getting around and being injured from time to time, but this should not constantly happen or become more severe over time. If your loved one is experiencing this, it can be dangerous on its own or a sign of bigger problems with their health.
Difficulty with Transportation to the Doctor
If taking your loved one to the doctor becomes difficult for you, hiring a home health aide might be necessary. This can be especially true if your loved one’s condition or prognosis requires that they get regular checkups or have a home healthcare aide or nurse living with them to stay safe and healthy. This is a big sign that help is needed at home, especially if your loved one still insists on going to the doctor alone.
Disengagement with Friends and Relationships
A simple way to know that a home health aide might be needed for your loved one is if they begin to disengage with their friends and relationships. This can be true of any age, especially early on in old age or as more dementia symptoms start developing. If you notice that your loved one begins to withdraw more often than usual for no clear reason, it can be a good idea to have them checked out by their doctor or a professional geriatrician. This can be a sign of incipient dementia and may require further workup and treatment to ensure your loved one has the best possible chance for older age health.
Decline in Personal Hygiene
It is normal for seniors with physical disabilities to have a decline in personal hygiene as they age, particularly if their condition worsens. However, this should not be sudden or drastic. If you notice that your loved one suddenly does not care for themselves as well as they have in the past and cleaning becomes hard to do on their own, it might be time to consider hiring a home health aide or nurse because it could become dangerous if the problem worsens.
Loss of Memory or Other Cognitive Decline
Loss of memory is a huge warning sign for seniors, especially those with physical disabilities who might not be able to ensure their safety on their own anymore. If your loved one begins forgetting basic things like where they are, how they got to where they are, or what time of day it is, hiring a home health aide might be needed to keep them safe. This memory loss can also be an early symptom of dementia and should not be ignored, no matter how embarrassing it may feel for you or your loved one.
Difficulty with Getting Around in the House
If getting around the house becomes difficult for your loved one, especially if they have been very independent and active previously, it may be time to consider hiring a home health aide. Suppose you notice that they are having difficulty even getting from one room to another or experience more pain than usual when moving around because of their medical condition. In that case, this could quickly become dangerous if left untreated. If your loved one is having difficulty with even simple tasks like bath time, getting dressed, or taking a shower, it could be time to hire a home health aide because you cannot be sure that they are safe on their own anymore.
Developing New Illnesses or Problems
It is normal for seniors to develop new illnesses or problems as they age. However, if this begins to happen more rapidly than normal or with more severity than usual, hiring a home health aide might be necessary. This can include sudden illnesses, falls, and other physical problems that you might not be able to handle on your own anymore. If you notice your loved one developing new illness symptoms every month, it might be time to consider hiring a home health aide to help ensure their safety.
Requiring Frequent Assistance with Daily Tasks
Seniors often require more assistance with daily tasks as they age, but only if the decline is gradual and not sudden. If your loved one suddenly needs you or someone else to do most of the work for them when they usually do most of it on their own, this is a sure sign that they can’t be left alone on their own without coming to harm. If your loved one needs someone to help them get up or walk around because of pain or weakness, ensure that family members are aware to plan for how you will handle these issues in the future. Also, if your loved one begins to ask you for frequent assistance when it comes to eating or bathing, consider hiring a nurse or home health aide so you know they are safe and getting the care they need. If you’re looking to hire a home health aide Boca Raton, contact us today to learn more.
