6 Tips for Identifying Your Senior Loved One’s Care Requirements

The aging process is different for every senior. Some older adults require less assistance than others, but it’s up to family caregivers to step in when necessary and prevent accidents, injuries, and other health problems. Below are some factors families can consider to determine their senior loved ones’ care needs.

1. Physical Limitations

Physical changes are unpreventable, even with the best care and lifestyle choices. As your loved one grows older, he or she may experience certain limitations that reduce independence. The barriers could make it difficult for your loved one to move around the home, exercise, and complete daily physical tasks. In these instances, you’ll need to devote more time to your parent’s care or consider hiring a professional caregiver. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Winnipeg homecare services provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.

2. Poor Hygiene

Bad hygiene could be a warning sign that your parent needs to increase his or her level of care. Failing to maintain good hygiene can negatively affect self-esteem and increase the risk of infections. Monitor your loved one’s grooming habits to ensure he or she is regularly bathing, wearing clean clothes, and keeping his or her hair neat. As your parent’s needs change and affect the ability to practice good hygiene, it’s time to increase his or her care.

3. Medication Management

Most seniors are managing multiple prescriptions for various health problems. Taking too much medicine or skipping doses could harm your loved one’s quality of life and lead to ineffective treatment. When it comes to medication management, you can hire a home caregiver to remind your loved one to take medications properly and lower the risk of issues like overmedicating.  There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional elder care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.

4. Nutritional Habits

Eating unhealthy foods and snacks could lead to weight gain, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and various conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. If your loved one is unable to cook healthy meals due to physical and mental conditions, consider adding more care for meal prep. Your parent may need help eating, especially if he or she is living with a condition that makes it difficult to chew, swallow, or hold eating utensils.

5. Poor Memory

Although not all seniors develop dementia or Alzheimer’s, memory loss is common in older adults. Their brains begin to shrink and their daily lives are less active, causing them to use their mental abilities and other skills less frequently. As a result, their memories can begin to decrease rapidly and put their mental and physical wellbeing in jeopardy. If your loved one is experiencing memory issues, expand his or her care and ask your siblings to step up.

6. Loneliness

Loneliness and boredom are common among older adults, and these issues can increase the risk of depression. If your loved one has isolated him or herself from others, it may be a good idea to increase the number of hours a caregiver helps out. The professional caregiver could also help with transportation and encourage your loved one to get out into the community more.  Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Winnipeg, MB, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today at (204) 489-6000.