When is the right time to introduce extra care?
For an elderly person to admit that they need help, it may feel like accepting that they aren’t able to cope – and no one wants to lose their pride or independence. They may just need some extra help in their home.
Here are some useful questions to determine if your elderly relatives may need some extra care:
Physical appearance
Pay attention to physical appearance. Failure to keep up with daily routines such as bathing, teeth brushing, and good hygiene is a sign that they may be experiencing feelings of depression or have a physical issue preventing them from basic self care.
Home cleanliness
Are the lights working or is the laundry piling up? Is the garden overgrown? These can be clues that things are becoming challenging for your elderly loved one.
Driving
Driving can be difficult for older adults. Confusion whilst driving or risk to personal safety could mean that it is time to stop driving.
Loss of weight
Losing weight without trying could be another sign that something is wrong. Weight loss could be related to many factors, including difficulty with cooking, loss of taste or smell or perhaps the signal of an underlying condition such as malnutrition, dementia, or depression.
Social withdrawal
It’s important to have a chat about activities. Are they connecting with friends? Have they maintained interest in hobbies and other daily activities? Are they involved in organizations or clubs? Or have the circumstances changed and their need for companionship needs to be met in a new way.
Here are just a few of the services that might help with some of the issues outlined above:
- Personal Care – including help with bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, and bedtime routines.
- Home Help – support with light housekeeping, washing, meal preparation, making beds and more.
- Companionship – many of our clients are simply looking for company and friendship.
- For all of our services, click here.
If you are interested in arranging home help for a loved one, get in touch to discuss your needs further.
With a background spanning over two decades in the field of marketing, I have had the privilege of working across diverse industries, ranging from insurance to sports, technology, and health & well-being.
While my previous experience did not directly involve care services, I have acquired a deep understanding of the sector’s needs and challenges through my wife. For the past eight years, she has been dedicated to providing the highest level of support to her clients as a compassionate caregiver.
Witnessing the profound impact that committed caregivers have on their clients’ lives when the opportunity arose to join the esteemed team at Unique Senior Care, it was an easy decision for me to make.
During my free time, you may find me leisurely strolling across fields with a metal detector in hand, eagerly exploring the possibility of unearthing hidden treasures. Alternatively, I love nothing better than making the most of our National Trust membership and cherishing precious moments spent with my family.
I am genuinely thrilled to be a part of the Unique Senior Care team, where I can bring my expertise to the table and share a sincere passion for enhancing the lives of those we serve.
