How to Know Your Parents Need Home Health Care

Deciding whether your aging parents need home health care is one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever make.

You’re worried, and you want them to have a fulfilling life, yet their health and safety could be in danger.

There are many home health care options for the elderly, ranging from managed apartments to trained caregivers who make regular visits to the home.

Here, we’ve compiled three signs that your parent may need help at home. With these signs in mind, you can make a more informed decision about your aging parents’ well-being.

Struggling to Handle Daily Life

As they age, your parents aren’t going to have the same level of energy you remember them having. You’ll have to start helping your aging parents more with tasks around the house.

However, at what point should they be moved to elderly care? It all depends on how active they used to be, and what things they’re still able to do. Use your best judgment.

If their sink is overflowing with dishes, the refrigerator is full of rotting food, they’re wearing the same clothes for weeks at a time, or the state of their house could pose a health risk, it might be time to consider professional help.

When Your Parents Get Injuries or Neglect Themselves

In some cases, your parents could be experiencing repeated injuries. They might be showing up with bruises or calling you to help with a fall. While taking care of your parents is a priority, it’s impossible for you to be with them around the clock.

According to a 2019 study, nearly 25,000 people 75 and older died from falling in 2016. What seems like a minor fall could be potentially dangerous for seniors.

Home care for parents is also needed if they aren’t showering, refusing to eat, or mixing up their medications. Potential red flags could include shocking weight loss or noticing they look more disheveled than what you remember.

Changing Behavior Could Mean You Need Home Health Care

Have you noticed that your elderly parents are starting to exhibit angry outbursts? It’s possible they’re stressed out by their lack of mobility, or it could mean something more significant like Alzheimer’s Disease. Either way, you should consider home care.

People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are more likely to experience hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions. This makes caring for them particularly difficult. Hiring a professional to help is the right thing to do.

When handling someone experiencing one of these symptoms, the best thing to do is stay calm and don’t argue with them. Make a point of acknowledging what they feel, even if it’s not real. Helping them engage in another activity is often distracting enough to ease the hallucination.

Hire Professional Caregivers for Your Parents

If what we’ve described above sounds like your parents, it’s never too late to reach out to a home health care provider. Sholom will work with your parents to find the best solution for everyone and still maintain their standard of living.