Noticing the Signs: Does Your Loved One Need Help at Home?

2020 was a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially in seniors. It’s important to know what to look out for and how you can help keep these feelings at bay. However, loneliness and isolation may not be the only changes the virus has wrought on your elderly loved ones’ lives. Many seniors are deciding to age in place in the homes they love. This presents its own set of problems, especially since you may not be able to visit them as often as usual due to social distancing and stay-at-home orders. You may need to do some detective work to uncover possible signs that your loved ones need extra help around the home.

The Post-Holiday Reality Check

Most home care providers will tell you that they’ve noticed a trend every January: an uptick in requests for in-home care. This typically happens because family members visit older loved ones during the holiday season and see signs that they may need assistance to remain safely at home. Known as the “post-holiday reality check,” adult children realize that their mom or dad may not be doing as well with keeping on top of things. Some of the most common signs include forgetfulness, poor hygiene, and forgetting important appointments.

These signs can often be misinterpreted as a normal side effect of aging, but that’s not always the case. If you notice any signs that your loved one may need help, write down your concerns and discuss them with your sibling or other relatives. Collectively, you can develop a plan to bring your concerns to your elderly loved one and determine the next steps.

Download a Free Guide to Notice the Signs

What to Do When An Aging Loved One Needs Help

If you’ve noticed signs that an elderly parent or loved one may need help at home, you may be asking yourself, “what do I do now?” The first step is to talk to your loved one about it to see what their wishes are. In many cases, seniors have already thought about what they’d like to do when they can no longer live independently at home. In fact, research shows that in recent years, more and more seniors are deciding to stay at home longer.

If your loved one wishes to stay at home for as long as possible, it’s important to know that you have options other than taking on caregiver responsibilities yourself. Caregivers can help your senior loved one remain in the home that they love while taking the burden of care off of you. Griswold is taking every precaution to keep clients and caregivers safe and healthy in light of the pandemic. Your loved one’s health and wellness are our top concern, and we ensure caregivers have the proper protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We’re With You Every Step of the Way

It can be difficult to take the first step, but Griswold is here to help you. Give your local office a call, and they’ll help you through the process and work with you to place the best caregiver with your loved one. Remember, don’t take on more than you can handle. A caregiver can assist your loved one with their daily needs so that you can return to the role of being a family member.