Your dad fell. The most common areas for a fall are in the bathroom when standing up from a toilet or stepping out of the shower. He may have fallen on the stairs or in the kitchen when trying to reach something in a cabinet.
Many falls in older adults lead to a trip to an urgent care clinic or ER. Bone fractures from falls are a risk. If your dad has fallen once, you need to address why he fell and take steps to prevent future falls. Medication side effects, joint pain, and loss of muscle strength are all possible causes.
Some older adults refuse to admit they need help, but others might be honest. Your dad is aiming for an honest approach and admits he needs help. If he’s asked you to help him with many of the chores he used to do independently, make sure someone is helping him.
Your dad has never been much of a home cook, but as he ages, he really has a hard time. Arthritis pain impacts how well he can hold and use a knife. Osteoarthritis in his back makes it hard for him to lift a heavier pot or casserole dish.
Your dad may not understand how to prepare meals that match his dietary needs. When he goes to a grocery store, your dad’s vision isn’t the best and he can’t read the nutrition facts to determine if a food has too much salt, sugar, or saturated fat.
When your dad struggles with meals and snacks, he might rely on takeout meals that he thinks are healthy, but they’re not as healthy as he thinks. He gets a curry thinking that the yogurt and basmati rice are good choices, but he doesn’t realize that it contains too much salt and not many vegetables. Having someone to cook meals for him is important.
Your dad’s health has changed. At his last check-up, his doctor told him he has high blood pressure, heart disease, or another chronic health condition. He’s now taking medications every day, and he needs to exercise more and follow a recommended diet. All of this is too much for him.
When his health has changed and it’s mixing up his daily routine, it becomes essential to support him with services like meal preparation services, transportation, and companionship. If you’re too busy to help out each day, make sure he’s supported by home care providers.
Don’t wait until something happens. It’s better to have home care helping him out once every couple of weeks than to wait until he falls or he has a health emergency. Talk to a home care specialist about weekly or twice monthly companion care visits to help your dad maintain his independence.
If you are considering home care in Upper West Side, NY, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of NYC today at 212-201-6139.
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