Parents getting older? Signs it may be time to find a home caregiver.

It’s never easy to admit that your parents are aging and potentially becoming less and less capable of taking care of themselves. If, during your visits, you’re starting to notice that things just don’t seem “right,” such as they haven’t bathed in a while, they’re forgetting to eat meals, or not taking their medications, it might be time to think about hiring a home caregiver. Doing so may be the right move to help your parents continue to live safely, and even more important, independently.

The Griswold Home Care Worcester office has been helping families in the area since 2001. We can help you identify signs that may indicate it’s time to consider hiring a home caregiver for your aging loved ones. Here’s what to look for when visiting mom and dad:

Forgets, or doesn’t realize the need to take care of personal hygiene.

Is your aging loved one wearing the same clothes daily? Do they have a urine odor, or have poor oral hygiene? If they are forgetting to bathe, there could be many reasons why, including having a fear of falling due to poor balance. Perhaps they experience pain while standing, bending or sitting. Sometimes the task of bathing is just too exhausting for the elderly. Consider hiring a home caregiver to help with personal care like bathing and dressing. It could be just the step needed to make this aspect of personal hygiene comfortable and even enjoyable for them.

Forgets to take medications, sometimes misses doses, or overdoses by mistake.

As we age, it’s common to make mistakes with our medications. Some seniors may forget the instructions. They may also forget they took a dose and double up, or forget to take a dose completely. If memory is an issue, consider getting an automated medication dispenser with reminders and notifications. If that doesn’t work, a home caregiver from Griswold Home Care can help to make sure that your loved one takes their medication when they are supposed to.

Doesn’t see the need to cook meals or misses meals.

Your elderly loved one may develop unusual eating habits for several reasons. One of these reasons can involve the loss of taste and smell. In fact, smell is very closely tied to our ability to taste food and directly affects appetite. This dulling of the senses can greatly affect how seniors perceive food and can lessen their feelings of hunger. If you suspect this is happening with your aging parents, hiring a home caregiver that can help with meal prep and other light housekeeping can greatly improve their nutritional intake.

Finding the right home caregiver for any care need is vital to keeping your aging parents safe, happy, healthy and independent in their own home. Remaining passive and waiting until “something happens” can pose a risk. Griswold Home Care urges you to take action before it’s too late. If you would like to talk to find out how Griswold Home Care can help your aging loved one in Worcester or the surrounding area continue to enjoy their independence while staying safe in their own home, give us a call at (781) 559-0073.