Recognizing the Signs: When Is it Time for 24-Hour Home Care?

Aging is a normal part of life, but as family and friends get older, they may need more help. Some adults can manage well with little help, while others need more consistent care to stay healthy and safe. It can be hard to know when to bring in 24-hour home care, but there are clear signs that show when it’s needed.

Here are some signs that it might be time to think about 24/7 care for your older family member.

• Frequent falls or trouble moving around. Falls are a major cause of injury for seniors, frequently resulting in hospital visits and ongoing health problems. If a loved one often falls, has trouble walking, or has balance issues, they might need someone to watch them all the time to keep them safe and avoid accidents.
• Trouble handling everyday tasks. As seniors age, simple daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and dressing can become harder to do. If a loved one struggles or doesn’t do daily tasks, they may need 24-hour home care to help maintain their quality of life.
• Moving around aimlessly and feeling confused. Cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, can cause confusion and wandering. This can be risky, especially if the senior goes outside without anyone watching them. If a loved one often forgets where they are, gets lost, or acts in dangerous ways, having 24-hour home care can help keep them safe by providing the attention and support they need.
• Medication mismanagement. Managing medicine properly is very important for seniors, especially those with long-term health problems. Forgetting to take medication, taking the wrong amount, or having negative reactions due to mistakes with their medicine can be minimized by having extra support in the home.
• Increased forgetfulness and cognitive decline. Memory loss and cognitive issues can make it hard for seniors to complete tasks and enjoy their lives overall. If a loved one forgets to pay bills, leaves appliances on, or struggles to remember things that just happened, having 24-hour home care can help keep them safe and provide the support they need.
• Decreasing personal cleanliness. Along with having difficulties completing daily tasks, an obvious lack of personal hygiene can be a strong sign that an older person needs more help. If your loved one isn’t cleaning, grooming, or wearing clean clothes, it could mean they’re having trouble taking care of themselves. A full-time caregiver can help them take better care of their hygiene, which supports their pride and well-being.
• Social isolation and depression. Seniors living alone may feel lonely and depressed. 24-hour home care provides them with someone to talk to, enjoy activities with, and much more.
• Burnout among family caregivers. If family caregivers are feeling tired, stressed, or unable to manage everything, it might be a good idea to think about getting professional help. 24-hour home care can help ease the stress on loved ones and provide seniors with the focused care they need.

It’s important to know when to hire 24-hour home care to keep seniors safe, healthy, and happy. By noticing these signs, families can choose what is best for their loved one.

Sources:
https://health.usnews.com/senior-care/caregiving/articles/identifying-the-right-time-for-senior-care
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/caregiving/does-older-adult-your-life-need-help

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-hour home care in White Plains, NY, please contact the caring staff at Griswold Home Care for Scarsdale & Yonkers today. (914) 337-5028.