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But how will you know it is time? There are plenty of elderly individuals living independently--some well into their 90s--but there are also many who need help with day-to-day activities as early as in their 50s.
The decision to start using homecare services isn't easy.
No one wants to admit that their parent or loved one can no longer care for himself on his own, but there will come a time when it is imperative for your loved one's safety that he no longer lives by himself.
Health Concerns While weight loss can be common as we age, extreme or unhealthy weight loss is not.
If you notice your loved one is losing weight, becoming weak or even frail, it may be an indication he's not eating appropriately and could use some assistance.
When you visit your loved one, how is his appearance? Elderly individuals often lose the energy or capability to shower and dress themselves on a daily basis.
If you notice his clothing is inappropriate, he's forgetting essential pieces of clothing--such as a jacket in the winter--or he hasn't bathed in a while, it may be time for homecare.
Household Concerns A cluttered house is an indicator that a person may not be able to upkeep his residence as he once did.
Unopened piles of mail, dirty dishes, and even unpaid bills need to be addressed regularly and, as your loved one ages, he may no longer be able to take on these tasks alone.
General Concerns It's not uncommon to forget something every once in awhile.
Everyone does it and it doesn't necessarily mean you've lost control of your home or life, but if you notice your loved one is consistently forgetting things, such as missing appointments, forgetting to take medication, forgetting to bathe, or not attending family events, he could be suffering from a degenerative memory and may be a perfect candidate for homecare services.
When a person's mental abilities decline, his motor skills will often follow.
With that decrease in capability, your loved one may have more difficulty getting out of bed, doing chores around the house, or even feeding himself.
Sometimes the best indicator is your own instinct.
You know your loved one better than anyone.
If minor signs of forgetfulness are random and don't occur very often, and he is able to take care of himself and his home, it may not be time to enlist the help of a homecare agency.
If, however, your instincts tell you he isn't handling life on his own, you can still help--even if you're not there 24 hours a day to provide assistance yourself.
Homecare gives your loved one the independence he needs by providing him with the opportunity to live at home, but also provides him with the in-home help he needs to sustain a quality living environment.
Your aging loved one has provided the care you needed throughout your life; now it is time to provide him with the same care when he needs it the most.
If you ever feel your loved one cannot manage on his own, contact a homecare company for the sake of his health and his happiness.
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