8 Signs Your Loved One May Need 24/7 Care

Caring for an aging loved one can be both rewarding and challenging. As their needs evolve, it’s natural to wonder whether they require more support than you or other family members can provide. 

If you’ve noticed changes in your loved one’s behavior, health, or daily routines, it may be time to consider professional, in-home care. Below are 8 key signs that indicate they may need 24/7 assistance to maintain their safety and well-being.

1. Frequent Falls and Safety Concerns

As your loved one ages, maintaining mobility and balance can become increasingly challenging. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among seniors and can result in serious complications such as fractures or hospitalizations.

• Unexplained bruises or injuries: Your loved one may not remember falling or be hesitant to share incidents due to embarrassment or fear of losing independence.
• Difficulty with balance or mobility: Struggles with walking, getting up from a chair, or unsteadiness while standing can indicate weakness or underlying health issues.
• Fear of being alone due to fall risk: If your loved one expresses concern about falling when no one is around, it may indicate a loss of confidence in their ability to move safely.

At BrightStar Care of West Portland, our compassionate caregivers provide personalized support to help reduce fall risks and ensure your loved one’s safety at all times. We assist with mobility, ensure clear walkways, and provide recommendations for home modifications such as grab bars and non-slip flooring.

Our caregivers help with transfers, walking, and repositioning to prevent falls and injuries. If a fall does occur, our trained professionals are available immediately to provide aid and prevent further harm. We encourage movement, guided exercises, and stretching to maintain mobility and independence.

2. Wandering or Confusion in Familiar Places

For seniors, cognitive decline can lead to disorientation and wandering, creating serious safety risks. If your loved one is getting lost in places they’ve known for years, forgetting directions, or leaving home unexpectedly, they may need constant supervision to ensure their safety.

• Getting lost in their own home or neighborhood: If they suddenly struggle to find rooms in their house or forget familiar routes, it could indicate memory impairment.
• Forgetting directions or becoming easily disoriented: Even simple trips to the grocery store or a neighbor’s home can become confusing.
• Leaving the house at odd hours: Wandering, especially at night, is a serious concern as it increases the risk of injury, getting lost, or encountering dangerous situations.

Our caregivers provide 24/7 supervision and specialized memory care support to keep your loved one safe and at ease. We provide constant supervision and companionship to prevent wandering and confusion.

A consistent daily schedule helps reduce confusion and anxiety, keeping them engaged in familiar activities. We assess potential safety risks and make modifications, such as door alarms and proper lighting, to prevent accidents. Our caregivers are trained to support seniors with cognitive decline, offering patience and reassurance when confusion arises.

3. Struggles With Personal Hygiene and Grooming

Personal hygiene is essential for health, dignity, and overall well-being. If your loved one is neglecting bathing, wearing the same clothes for days, or struggling with basic grooming tasks, they may need assistance with daily self-care.

• Infrequent bathing or neglecting self-care: A decline in showering or oral hygiene can lead to infections, skin issues, and overall discomfort.
• Strong body odor or unkempt appearance: If they no longer brush their hair, trim nails, or maintain a clean look, it could be a sign of physical or cognitive decline.

Our caregivers provide dignified, respectful assistance with personal hygiene, helping seniors maintain their independence while ensuring they stay clean, comfortable, and healthy.

We assist with bathing, oral care, hair grooming, and dressing to help them feel fresh and confident. Our caregivers help seniors choose appropriate, comfortable outfits that match the weather and their needs. 

We establish gentle daily routines to normalize hygiene habits without causing stress or embarrassment. Our team respects your loved one’s privacy and independence, ensuring they receive care in a way that preserves their dignity.

4. Changes in Eating Habits or Unintended Weight Loss

Proper nutrition is vital for maintaining energy, strength, and overall health, but many seniors struggle with healthy meal preparation. If your loved one is gaining or losing weight unexpectedly or their fridge is filled with expired food, it may be time to consider 24/7 care to ensure they receive proper nourishment.

• Forgetting to eat or skipping meals: Seniors with cognitive decline or depression may forget to eat or lose interest in food.
• Expired or spoiled food in the kitchen: If you notice outdated groceries, moldy food, or a lack of fresh ingredients, your loved one may be unable to manage their meal preparation.
• Noticeable weight gain or dehydration: Sudden weight gain, dry skin, fatigue, or malnutrition could indicate they are eating poorly or not drinking enough.

Our caregivers provide personalized nutritional support and meal assistance to ensure your loved one receives daily balanced, healthy meals. We remind and assist with drinking water and eating regularly, preventing dehydration and malnutrition.

Our caregivers shop for fresh ingredients and ensure food is stored properly to avoid spoiled or expired items. If needed, we provide gentle help with eating to ensure adequate nutrition while maintaining dignity.

5. Difficulty Managing Daily Household Tasks

Daily household tasks can become overwhelming as we age. If your loved one is struggling with basic home maintenance and admin, it could indicate they need extra support to stay organized and maintain a safe living space.

• Unopened mail, unpaid bills, or late payments: A once-organized person missing bills or accumulating unopened mail may need assistance managing their finances and responsibilities.
• Piles of laundry or cluttered living spaces: If the laundry is stacking up, dishes are left unwashed, or their home feels more cluttered than usual, they may have difficulty keeping up with housework.
• Forgetting household maintenance and chores: Simple tasks like taking out the trash, checking the fridge for expired food, or even locking doors at night may become harder to remember.

Our caregivers provide efficient support with daily household tasks, allowing your loved one to enjoy a clean, safe, and stress-free home. We help with laundry, tidying up, and organizing spaces to maintain a comfortable and clean home environment.

Our caregivers can provide subtle reminders about mail, bills, and other responsibilities, reducing stress and preventing overdue payments. We assist with basic home upkeep, ensuring that the environment remains safe and free from hazards.

At BrightStar Care of West Portland, we offer the right level of support so your loved one can stay comfortable in their home without feeling overwhelmed.

6. Social Withdrawal and Isolation

Staying socially active is essential for emotional well-being, but aging can bring feelings of loneliness and disengagement. Seniors benefit from companionship and social support.

• Loss of interest in hobbies or activities: If they no longer enjoy past interests, like gardening, puzzles, or social clubs, it may indicate emotional distress or cognitive decline.
• Avoiding social gatherings or phone calls: Ignoring phone calls, skipping family visits, or showing little enthusiasm for social events can signal loneliness or a desire to isolate.
• Signs of depression or mood swings: Increased irritability, sadness, or a lack of motivation may suggest that they need more interaction and emotional support.

Our caregivers provide engagement to help seniors stay socially connected and emotionally fulfilled. We offer one-on-one companionship, providing emotional support, meaningful conversations, and friendly interactions.

Our caregivers help seniors reconnect with hobbies, join activities, and stay engaged in things they love. We can assist with video calls, letters, or visits, ensuring they stay connected with loved ones. We recognize the signs of loneliness or depression and provide the proper support to combat these feelings.

7. Increased Caregiver Burnout or Family Struggles

Caring for a loved one is a labor of love, but it can also be emotionally and physically exhausting. If family members are feeling overwhelmed, struggling to provide constant supervision, or worried about leaving their loved one alone, consider professional 24/7 in-home care for additional support.

• Family members feeling overwhelmed or exhausted: If caregiving leads to stress, fatigue, or emotional strain, it may be challenging to provide the best level of care.
• Needing to provide constant supervision: If your loved one requires assistance throughout the day and night, managing their care alone can become unsustainable.
• Concerns about leaving them alone, even for short periods: If you worry about their safety when you step away for errands or work, professional caregivers can provide peace of mind.

Our experienced caregivers provide reliable, respite care so family members can find balance and relief while ensuring their loved one receives the needed attention. Whether your loved one needs part-time assistance or round-the-clock care, we provide the supervision and companionship they need.

We tailor our services to fit your loved one’s unique needs, from mobility support to personal care. Our caregivers work alongside families, keeping you informed and involved while relieving daily caregiving burdens.

8. Signs of Declining Health or Chronic Conditions

Managing health concerns can become increasingly complex as we age. If your loved one has signs of declining health, professional in-home care can help them stay healthy, comfortable, and safe at home.

• Frequent hospitalizations or emergency visits: If your loved one has been in and out of the hospital, ongoing medical supervision at home may help prevent complications and improve recovery.
• Unmanaged chronic illnesses or worsening symptoms: Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory issues require regular monitoring to prevent serious health risks.
• Need for assistance with medical equipment or therapy – If they rely on oxygen, mobility aids, wound care, or therapy regimens, they may benefit from professional medical help at home.

Our skilled caregivers and nurses provide personalized healthcare support to help manage chronic conditions, promote well-being, and reduce hospital visits. Our team includes licensed nurses who can assist with medication management, wound care, and chronic disease support.

We ensure your loved one takes medications timeously and watch for changes in their condition. We help with physical therapy exercises, mobility support, and post-hospital recovery care to improve overall health. Our caregivers help with oxygen machines, mobility aids, and other medical devices to ensure proper use and comfort.

Contact BrightStar Care of West Portland Today!

At BrightStar Care of West Portland, we are dedicated to helping seniors manage their health safely at home, providing skilled care and companionship to improve their quality of life!
Schedule a free consultation today, or apply if you are a nurse looking to work in a compassionate environment held to a higher standard. We invite you to contact us today if you would like to learn more about our wide range of caregiving services! Our office is at 1675 SW Marlow Ave, Suite 405, Portland, OR 97225. You can also reach us by phone at (503) 482-8699. 

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