When someone close to you starts struggling with independent living, it can be tough to know when senior care is necessary. At Business Name, we’ve heard from countless clients about how hard the decision for senior care can be. For many of these clients, spotting the warning signs were crucial first steps toward finding a caregiver. But for others, it’s sometimes hard to know what those warning signs are.
To make the process easier, Business Name has compiled this list of signs to help you know when senior care might be helpful or necessary.
Physical Signs: You may notice things about your loved one’s appearance, living space, or physical abilities that indicate they’re having trouble caring for themselves. These signs can include:
* Difficulty with everyday tasks (i.e. walking, dressing, bathing)
* Trouble getting up from seated position
* Loss of energy
* Weight loss
* Unexplained bruising
* Poor grooming habits
* Poor personal hygiene
* Increasingly unclean or cluttered living space
* Unopened mail/unemptied mailbox
* Unexplained vehicle damage (major or minor)
* Injury or illness
* Need for medical equipment
In some cases these signs indicate physical damage or deterioration. When a person has trouble with basic physical tasks, senior care is an excellent way to ensure they’re taken care of. Our caregivers at Business Name are all experienced and qualified in taking care of your loved one’s day-to-day physical needs.
In other cases, physical signs can be evidence of behavioral, emotional, or mental issues common to aging.
Behavioral Signs: Aging changes more than just our physical well-being. It also affects our mental, emotional, and behavioral health. If your loved one is having mental or emotional difficulties, you may notice signals such as the following:
* Forgetfulness
* Confusion
* Mood swings
* Bouts of prolonged anger, sadness, or paranoia
* Feelings of loneliness or depression
* Avoidance of company
* Lack of attention to safety
* Missed bills/payments or appointments
* Medication mix-up
* Change in eating habits
* Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia
Behavioral signs that point to a need for senior care are often harder to detect than physical signals. This is why close attention must be paid to a loved one’s attitude and behavior. People suffering from mental or emotional deterioration often avoid talking about these problems with others. Many times, it’s up to those who love them to spot the signals.
The aid, oversight, and companionship of a senior care professional from Business Name can make an enormous difference in your loved one’s quality of life. If you have noticed one or more of the above signs in a person you care for, it may be time to consider a discussion about senior care. If you have questions or to learn more about senior care services, give us a call at our Kansas City office. You can also check out our Facebook page for more information.
