Whether it’s because they want to remain independent or because they don’t realize they need more help, seniors aren’t often likely to share with family members that things are changing. That means it can be surprising for family caregivers to suddenly realize that their aging adults need more help. Knowing what to do next can feel complicated, but home care services can offer necessary support to both seniors and family caregivers.
Make Note of Behavioral and Health Changes
The first step is often to get a handle on what changes are occurring. Paying attention to these changes and getting the details as much as possible helps families to start taking stock of what solutions might work best. Some of the changes to note include unexplained weight loss, increased cognitive troubles, difficulty with daily tasks, or a decline in personal hygiene.
Open Up a Dialogue
Often family caregivers overlook starting a conversation with their aging adults as the next step. Seniors may not realize they’re having specific trouble or they may not appreciate family members making decisions about their care without their input. It’s vital to have an open and honest conversation about what’s been happening and what the next steps might be.
Talk to Healthcare Providers
Input from healthcare providers can be invaluable when determining how to help seniors stay healthy and be safe at home. There may be underlying health issues that are temporarily causing the changes family members are seeing, for instance. Or the issues may be permanent ones that can be managed more effectively.
Get a Closer Look at Environmental Conditions
Sometimes seniors are reluctant to let family members see that how they are living has changed. The house might be dirtier than it used to be or there may be safety concerns. It’s imperative for family caregivers to understand those issues so that they can correct them. Senior care providers can be a huge help in addressing issues like staying on top of household tasks, which can make aging in place a viable option for aging adults.
Consider Home Care Options
There are lots of different ways that home care services can help aging adults to live the lives that they want to be living. The key is to have the conversation, though. If seniors aren’t willing to consider these options out of fear or desire to be more independent the situation can worsen before it gets better. Senior care providers can help aging adults understand more about how they preserve dignity and make it possible to stay at home.
Continue to Assess Needs
Needs change over time and as seniors continue to age. It’s a good idea to acknowledge from the outset that continuing to assess needs over time is going to need to be a regular activity. Regularly scheduling these conversations makes it less of a surprise and more of a tool that everyone involved can use for the good of the person receiving care.
Needing more help isn’t a bad thing at all. Home care providers can help seniors to have the support that they need to keep living their lives in their own homes and at their own pace. Doing so safely is the biggest concern.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Frisco, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today. Call 817-928-5788.
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high quality home care in Denton County, Montague County, Cooke County, Grayson County, Fannin County, Lamar County, Wise County, Collin County, Hunt County, Delta County, and Hopkins County in Texas.
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