6 Key signs your loved one may benefit from in-home senior care

When to get in-home care for older loved ones

Aging and all the decisions that come along with it can be very complex and personal for each family. Observations, talking with each other, planning in advance, understanding finances and our loved one’s preferences all play a role in deciding when to get home care.

When considering in-home senior care, it’s helpful to take a look at some key signs for families to look for that might mean it’s time to start discussing the options for finding support.

1. Noticing safety concerns for older loved ones at home
2. Feeling symptoms of family caregiver burnout
3. Loved ones needing more help with activities of daily living
4. Loved ones dealing with loneliness or signs of depression
5. Feeling worry about lack of cognitive stimulation at home
6. Financial considerations of aging in place

In this article we’ll take a look at each of these signs and tips on starting discussions about them with your family.

Noticing safety concerns for older loved ones at home

Safety is a first priority when deciding if it’s time for a little more support for our loved ones. Be mindful of how often accidents, injuries, and other incidents occur, taking note of where and when they happen. Increased incidents could be caused by many different factors, from changes in eyesight or hearing, change in mobility needs, strength, onset of dementia, or even dehydration.

If your loved one is falling more frequently, not taking medications, having difficulty while driving, forgetting household responsibilities, like leaving the stove on, the risk of injury is high. More oversight and monitoring are needed to ensure safety, and consultation with their physician might be necessary as well.

Our tip: Keep track of how often incidents occur. This record may be helpful in discussions with your loved one and their physician as you begin creating a care plan.

How in-home care can address safety concerns for seniors at home

In-home Helpers can be an extension of the everyday help family provides. They can check in on your loved one, providing respite care and allowing the primary family caregiver to take breaks, visit and provide companionship, and help out with all those little tasks that add up throughout the week:

• Tidying, keeping floors clean, and moving tripping hazards
• Washing laundry, changing bedding, and keeping everything in order for improved personal hygiene
• Keeping the kitchen clean, the fridge stocked with fresh food, doing healthy meal prep and even grocery shopping
• Providing medication reminders and picking up prescriptions
• Providing mobility support and assistance with light exercise, walking, or providing extra support during rehab from health events

Feeling symptoms of family caregiver burnout

Many of us in our lifetimes will provide care for a loved one and deal with the struggle to balance our own needs with those of our families. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, “About 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months” (National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (2015). Caregiving in the U.S.).

As the primary caregiver for your loved one, if you find yourself unable to provide the amount of care they need it might be time to ask for help. Sometimes, even if you are able to provide the care your loved one needs, the physical and emotional demands of caregiving may cause stress and even burnout as you balance your loved one’s needs with your own work schedule and relationships.

Getting support with caregiving responsibilities can help alleviate stress, improve mental and emotional health, and allow you to enjoy being there with your loved one. Learn more about the signs of family caregiver burnout and tips for supporting your mental health.

Loved ones needing more help with activities of daily living

Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs, are routine, self-care tasks that contribute to our ability to live independently, including things like bathing or showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, walking, using the toilet, performing household tasks like cleaning or meal preparation, and eating.

When one or more of these daily activities is becoming challenging, it may be for a range of reasons: they may be recovering from an injury, living with a chronic or acute illness or a decline related to cognitive impairment, or simply experiencing muscle weakness. Some older adults might need assistance with multiple ADLs, while others with fewer needs might prefer to hire in-home care as supplemental support for one or two of their ADLs.

In-home care is the most flexible option for support as it can be adjusted to your loved one’s changing needs over time. Learn more about assistance with daily living and other top care needs for seniors.

Loved ones dealing with loneliness or signs of depression

Sometimes, as family members or as part of an older adult’s support network, we’re far away and unable to visit as much as we’d like. Difficulty with technology or speaking over the phone may cause problems with our ability to communicate with long distance older loved ones.

But whether we’re near or far, it’s important to be aware of signs of loneliness in our older loved ones. Social isolation can lead to depression and anxiety, and a lack of connection with others can have a negative effect on mental and physical health.

Companion care plays a vital role in in-home senior care. Caregivers provide socialization, care, and comfort as well as reassurance for long distance family members with regular, in-person checks on emotional and physical well being.

Feeling worry about lack of cognitive stimulation at home

It’s important to be aware of your loved one’s opportunities for cognitive stimulation in their day-to-day lives. Positive forms of mental engagement support memory, mental health, and well-being.

In-home care professionals can help provide opportunities for healthy cognitive stimulation through socialization, outings, and support with your loved one’s interests and preferred activities, whether it’s learning about technology, gardening, reading, or interacting with their local community. Learn about booking Helpers for outings and errands for your older loved one.

Financial considerations of aging in place

While all professional care is a financial commitment, for many it may make sense to remain in their own homes for as long as possible with the support of in-home care, rather than relocating to an assisted living facility or nursing home.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding if it’s time for in-home care:

• Location - Try to maintain an easy commuting distance to your loved one if possible, especially if you visit frequently or intend to provide care yourself
• Cost - While it may seem beneficial to relocate to a community where many services are provided, consider that companion care is often not included or very limited. The cost of additional care services might continue to add up
• Insurance - Researching what services your insurance covers may better help you understand what’s possible in the near and long term
• Flexibility - If your loved one is in the early stages of in-home care, remaining at home may be the most cost-effective strategy as care can be tailored to their own unique needs

More resources for deciding when to get in-home care for seniors

• How to choose between aging in place versus assisted living
• 6 Key Benefits of Aging in Place with Affordable In-Home Senior Care
• Step-by-Step Guide to Your First In-Home Care Helper
• Exploring In-Home Senior Care: Services, Costs & Best Options

For more on deciding if in-home care is right for your loved one, visit our caregiving services page or call customer support at 415-506-9776 to speak with our team and see if Herewith is right for you.