Home Care Upper East Side NY

How Can Families Tell That Seniors Need Additional Support?

Understanding the signs that seniors need more help isn’t always a black and white situation. Family caregivers may need to look for signs that seem subtle at first, but there are also some obvious signs to be aware of as seniors age in place. Home care providers can help out even when seniors don’t seem to have a lot of need for assistance, however, making it even easier to ramp up care when necessary.

Trouble with Daily Tasks

When seniors start to struggle with tasks like cooking meals, keeping the house clean, or even taking a bath, that’s a sign they need more help. Maintaining a high quality of life is so much easier with elder care providers assisting with the tasks that are more difficult. That help keeps seniors safe and comfortable.

Mobility Problems or Frequent Falls

Increasing trouble with mobility or even worse, frequent falls, are a huge sign that seniors need more help. Falls can lead to future mobility problems or serious disability, so it’s essential for families to do what they can to protect seniors from falls. Home care providers do a lot to work with families to put fall prevention plans in place.

Cognitive Changes

Memory loss and other types of cognitive changes are something most people just chalk up to aging. But when those issues interfere with daily life, seniors may need more help to stay safe. Home care can help with daily tasks, but they can also help plan activities that stimulate the brain.

Trouble Maintaining Social Connections

Isolation is another big issue that could be easy to overlook at first. Seniors aging in place may gradually start to see fewer and fewer people, especially if they are having more trouble with mobility or other issues. Home care providers spend a lot of time with seniors and can help them to feel more connected to the world around them again while also offering hands-on assistance.

Big Health Changes

Health conditions can worsen dramatically, especially if seniors are having more trouble in general with daily life. Big health changes are often a good time for family caregivers to take stock of what’s happening and what seniors need. Making adjustments to lifestyle habits is a lot easier to do with home care helping out.

Trouble with Nutrition

Proper nutrition is the key to better health, even when seniors have underlying health issues. The problem is often that meal planning and cooking can take energy that seniors don’t have to spare. Elder care providers can get to know both dietary needs and preferences, making it easy for them to help out with these tasks.

Changes to Hygiene Habits

If seniors seem to be having more trouble with hygiene issues, they may need assistance with other tasks, too. When seniors seem to be wearing the same clothes every day, they may not be able to bathe or do laundry alone. Getting some help for them can allow them to do these tasks safely and easily.

Unexplained Mood Swings

Behavior and mood changes can happen with seniors for many different reasons ranging from health problems to depression and anxiety because of their situations. Home care providers offer emotional support, but they can also recognize what might be contributing to these mood swings so seniors can get help.

Finding extra support when seniors need it isn’t as difficult as it might seem. Home care providers can help families in a variety of different ways. What is most important is noticing which signs indicate seniors are having more trouble.

Reference
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/services-older-adults-living-home

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Upper East Side, NY, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home – Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, Queens, Rockland today. 646-480-6266

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