How to Tell If Your Aging Loved One Needs Home Care

Family caregivers want to see their parents live healthy and independent lives for as long as possible. However, when an elderly loved one’s health begins to decrease, he or she may need in-home assistance from professional caregivers. Receiving home care can boost your loved one’s mood, slow the progression of age-related diseases, and keep him or her safe. Here are some of the ways to tell if your parent needs in-home care. 

Your Parent Maintains an Unkempt Appearance  

Poor hygiene is a sign your loved one may need in-home care. Your loved one may be unable to take a bath or groom him or herself properly. Not bathing could cause your loved one to have a bad odor. When maintaining basic hygiene becomes difficult for your loved one, hire a professional caregiver to help out. An in-home caregiver can assist your loved one with grooming tasks, which could prevent him or her from having an unkempt appearance and reduce the risk of infections and other health issues.

Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Winnipeg respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.

Forgetfulness Becomes Common

It is normal for senior citizens to misplace their keys and forget where important items are kept. However, failing to remember a child or family member’s name or having difficulty remembering breakfast are not minor memory issues. These could be symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. If your loved one has difficulty communicating or using short-term memory, he or she should go to the doctor immediately. In the event your loved one is experiencing serious memory loss, you will need to have someone in the home to make sure he or she doesn’t wander off or forget to take medications. 

Frequent Mood Swings Occur 

Cognitive issues could be causing your parent to experience temper changes and mood swings. When the brain doesn’t function normally, it is common to become confused, agitated, and upset. Some seniors may become violent and pose a threat to themselves as well as others. If your loved one is experiencing mood swings for no apparent reason, he or she is likely having cognitive issues and will need in-home care. Make sure to speak with the doctor about steps you can take to keep your loved one safe and how to prevent resistance when it pertains to having an in-home caregiver.

In Winnipeg, home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

Appearance of Unexplainable Bruises 

Bone health decreases with age, putting seniors at a higher risk of falling. Lack of balance can also cause seniors to bump into furniture and objects that bruise the body. When you notice cuts, scratches, and wounds on your loved one’s body and he or she can’t explain where those injuries came from, it is time for in-home care. With in-home care, a professional caregiver will be there to monitor your loved one’s actions and help him or her move around the home. If your parent does fall, the caregiver can alert medical authorities immediately, getting your parent the treatment he or she needs.

Families looking for top-rated Winnipeg elderly care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. To create a customized in-home care plan for your elderly loved one, give us a call at (204) 489 6000 today.