As your senior loved one ages, his or her body may experience various changes at its own pace. However, it’s important that seniors receive care based on their current health needs. Here are some of the warning signs your loved one’s care needs are changing.
1. Difficulty Moving Around
If your loved one has been able to move around the home with ease in the past, there could be serious health issues causing difficulty with mobility now. The difficulty moving around could also be due to aging. Regardless of why your loved one is experiencing mobility issues, you will need to make changes to the type of care you provide. For instance, you can install more lighting in the home or grab bars in the bathroom. Encourage your loved one to exercise because it increases balance and flexibility.
Seniors with mobility issues can benefit from professional in-home care. Home Care Philadelphia experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Poor Nutrition
Seniors who fail to eat healthy meals become susceptible to obesity and diabetes, and older adults who don’t eat enough food could experience malnutrition. When you notice a significant change in your loved one’s weight, you should be alarmed. Excessive weight loss or gain could be a sign your loved one’s care needs are changing. Instead of cooking a few meals for your loved one each week, you may need to prepare healthy meals and snacks on a regular basis.
3. Bruises and Scratches
When you notice unusual marks on your loved one’s body, it could be a warning sign he or she is having difficulty taking care of him or herself. Help your loved one prevent the unexplained bruises and scratches from leading to more severe issues such as burns, broken bones, or fractures. Hire a professional caregiver to come to the house and provide one-on-care to your loved one when you are away.
Families looking to hire a Philadelphia caregiver can reach out to Home Care Assistance. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers receive extensive ongoing training to ensure they provide the high-quality in-home care seniors need and deserve.
4. Hygiene Issues
It is not uncommon for adults to have bad hygiene in their senior years. When you notice your loved one’s home has a bad odor or his or her clothes haven’t been cleaned properly, this should be a warning sign. If your loved one stops bathing, this may mean his or her care needs are changing. Consider hiring an in-home caregiver who can help your loved one maintain good personal hygiene as he or she ages.
5. Personality Changes
Seniors who go from happy to sad or outgoing to isolated could be experiencing various issues, including dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you ignore these personality changes, your loved one’s health could be put in jeopardy and his or her chances of living a longer and healthier life could decrease. However, paying attention to changes in your loved one’s mood allows you to get the help he or she needs and prevent or alleviate the symptoms that are causing the personality changes.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to address an aging loved one’s changing care needs. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated home care agency. Philadelphia Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your senior loved one, call us at (215) 645-4663 today.