As your loved one ages, it becomes increasingly challenging for them to remain independent in their daily life. Unfortunately, many struggle with asking for help either because they feel embarrassed or because of their stubborn nature. As such, you have to be observant, proactive, and involved in their lives to pick up signs they need help.
Once you’ve determined your loved one needs help, you can help them yourself. Or, if you are overwhelmed with responsibilities at home and work, you can hire Trusted Touch Healthcare to provide compassionate and professional in-home care. Our care professionals will offer customized solutions to match your needs and those of your loved one.
What are the Signs Your Loved One May Need Help?
As your loved one ages, their physical, emotional, or intellectual capabilities will reduce, making it harder for them to complete daily tasks. Picking up on these challenges early can help you take better care of them and get them the help they need. Some of the early tell-tale signs include:
A Decline in Personal Hygiene
When your loved one’s mental health starts deteriorating, their personal care, hygiene, and physical appearance might slip, too. If you notice their appearance has changed, or they spend too much time than they used to in personal grooming and getting ready, investigate the situation to know where the challenge is. It could be they can no longer do it by themselves efficiently and are too proud to ask for help.
Trouble Managing Household Tasks
A cluttered or untidy home could mean your loved one is struggling with household chores like cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry. It could be the chores are physically challenging or burdensome, or they’ve forgotten that it’s a chore that needs to be done.
These challenges could result from limited mobility, less energy, or simply mental exhaustion. It may be welcome to lend a helping hand to keep the space safe and clean.
Social Withdrawal or Isolation
Being social with friends and family is beneficial for the body and mind. It helps to fend off loneliness, sharpens cognitive skills and memory, and improves happiness and well-being. If your loved one seems more irritable or quieter than usual, or their social circle is shrinking, it could be a sign they need help.
More significant changes in their social patterns and emotional state could even cause depression. Some withdrawal signs to look out for include the following:
- Having trouble communicating and connecting with other people
- An increased desire to remain alone
- Problems orienting within the community
If your loved one has these signs, consider hiring professional care from Trusted Touch Healthcare. We are reliable enough to keep your loved one’s day balanced and engaging.
Changes in Eating Habits or Unexplained Weight Loss
A well-balanced and nutritional diet is essential for maintaining health even as we age. The older we get, the more nutrients our bodies need, and the diet should reflect that. Many of our loved ones pick up on these changes and adjust their meals accordingly. However, if you notice a loss in weight, it could mean your loved one is forgetting to prepare or eat their meals, losing interest in food, or having trouble making meals.
Unfortunately, it can be challenging to stay on top of your routine and eating habits and those of your loved ones. It’s easier to get Trusted Touch Healthcare to handle meal planning for you. This way, you’re assured your loved one is getting the healthy diet that they need.
Memory Loss or Cognitive Decline
Memory loss and increased forgetfulness are the earliest signs that your loved one needs help. They may start missing their medication or appointments. Or it could be they are forgetting basic things like the time and date.
While these qualify as signs to get your loved one help, they also point to deeper medical issues, including Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease care is sensitive and needs a medical professional to handle and take care of your loved one.
Things to Do if You Recognize These Signs
If you notice any of these common signs, you should act quickly and with tact to avoid antagonizing your loved one. Taking the proper steps can help to improve your quality of life and well-being. Some steps to incorporate into your daily living include:
Start a Compassionate Conversation
Discuss with your loved one about the changes you’ve noticed, your concerns, and your idea of getting help. How you approach it will determine how apprehensive or welcoming they are of the idea.
Remember to be open and patient, as it can be embarrassing or a hit to the ego to have to get help. Being too brash and pushy can cause them to resist your efforts.
Assess Their Needs
As your loved ones age, they experience different changes, so their needs vary. A physical decline will need a different kind of support from a decline in cognitive abilities. This could mean home healthcare to help with handling medication or assistance with a health condition.
Seek Professional Help
If your loved one needs substantial support, you should consider getting professional help. Consulting a live-in caregiver from Trusted Touch Healthcare may also be necessary to solve health concerns.
Involve Other Family Members
Share this discussion with other family members. Shared care reduces the burden of caregiving from one person to another, allowing all family members to have a clear direction and give constant support to the patient.
Contact Us Today for Professional Home Care
Recognizing that your loved one needs help in any way means you are on the right path to ensuring a safe, comfortable, and meaningful life.
As hard as it can be to watch for these signals, dealing with them early helps you and your loved one relax and have peace of mind. Our compassionate, professional team at Trusted Touch Healthcare is here to help you manage this process and provide the care your loved one deserves.
