How to recognize when a loved one needs home care this holiday season
Louisville, KY In-Home Care Solutions for the Holidays
The determination of the need for in-home care is a decision that more adult children will face as aging parents live longer. Members of the “sandwich” generation are caught between obligations for work and their own children, as well as caring for their aging parents. It can be especially stressful if their parents live in a different city or state.
When seeking home health care here are some of the most important things to consider if a loved one needs extra care:
Recognize the signs of physical or mental issues
Sometimes families don’t recognize a loved one needs help until there’s a catastrophic event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or some other serious injury or condition. But if you know what to watch for, there may be signs before an event occurs.
“Maybe Mom or Dad is less engaged with friends or family than they have been in the past. This could be a sign of depression if the loved one has pulled back suddenly after being active and involved in the past.
When you visit Mom or Dad in their home, look at the environment. Is the house not as tidy as it used to be? Is the food in the refrigerator spoiled? These could be signs that your loved one may not physically be able to take care of their household responsibilities, or they may be forgetting to handle them.
Start the conversation about home care
Many aspects of this process can be challenging, but perhaps the hardest part is finding a way to talk to your loved one about your concerns. Your loved one probably will want to maintain their sense of independence for as long as possible — and maybe even beyond that point.
The best approach is to have the conversation before an emergency happens. We suggest that you call or visit your loved one periodically and bring up the topic of their health and their needs at home, well in advance of a crisis.
Set the stage with a rhetorical question. Imply that you were reflecting on this for some unrelated reason, and ask what your loved one would think if it happened to them. Try something like: “You know, Mom, a friend of mine just recently set up home care for their mom because she fell. If that were to ever happen to you, what would you want us to do?”
Source: https://www.brightstarcare.com/resources/home-care/recognize-loved-one-needs-home-care
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