Does My Parent Need In-Home Care? 10 Warning Signs to Watch For
Are you wondering if your mom or dad needs in-home care? You're not alone. Many families in Edina, Minnetonka, and throughout the Minneapolis area ask themselves this exact question when they notice changes in their loved one's daily life.
Your loved one likely needs in-home care if they show signs of declining self-care, increased forgetfulness, difficulty with daily activities, recent falls, poor nutrition, or social isolation. In-home care becomes necessary when safety concerns arise or when family caregivers experience burnout.
At Comfort Keepers of Edina, we've helped hundreds of families navigate this important decision. Here are ten clear warning signs that indicate your loved one could benefit from professional in-home care services.
Memory Loss and Confusion Are Increasing
How do I know if memory loss means my parent needs home care help?
If your parent forgets recent conversations, misses appointments, gets confused about time or place, or repeats questions within minutes, these memory issues indicate they may need support. Watch for forgetting medications, getting lost in familiar places, difficulty managing finances, or leaving appliances on.
Our caregivers provide gentle medication reminders, maintain consistent routines, and ensure safety throughout the day. For more significant cognitive decline, we offer specialized Alzheimer's and dementia care.
Concerned about memory problems? Call (763) 273-4207 for a free consultation.
Personal Hygiene Has Declined
When your parent stops maintaining their usual hygiene standards—skipping showers, wearing dirty clothes, or neglecting grooming—it often signals physical difficulty with these tasks or depression. This is one of the most common warning signs.
Physical limitations like arthritis or fear of falling in the shower can make bathing difficult. Cognitive decline can cause someone to forget routines entirely.
Our personal care caregivers provide respectful, dignified assistance with bathing, grooming, and dressing while encouraging as much independence as possible.
Unexplained Weight Loss or Poor Nutrition
Unintentional weight loss of 10 pounds or more, loose-fitting clothes, or a refrigerator containing expired food indicate your parent needs help with meals and nutrition. Watch for eating only one meal per day, relying on convenience foods, or difficulty using the stove.
Our caregivers assist with grocery shopping, meal planning, and preparation of nutritious meals. We make dining a social experience through our Interactive Caregiving approach, encouraging seniors to participate when possible.
The Home Has Become Cluttered or Unsafe
What home safety issues mean someone needs help?
When a previously tidy home becomes cluttered with piles of mail, expired food, overflowing trash, or general disarray, it signals declining ability to manage household tasks. Look for unpaid bills, spoiled food, excessive clutter creating trip hazards, and broken fixtures not being repaired.
These conditions create dangerous fall hazards and fire risks. Our in-home caregivers team assists with light housekeeping, organizing, mail management, and maintaining a clean, safe environment.
Falls or Mobility Problems Are Occurring
Even one serious fall warrants a care assessment, but if your parent has fallen twice or more in six months, they need immediate support. Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors, and each fall increases future fall risk.
Warning signs include near-falls, using furniture for balance, difficulty getting up from chairs, shuffling gait, or avoiding stairs. Minnesota winters add ice and snow challenges that increase danger for Edina seniors.
Caregivers provide mobility assistance, ensure safe movement throughout the home, and help implement fall prevention strategies. We also offer senior transportation to eliminate risky driving or walking in hazardous conditions.
Concerned about fall risk? Schedule a free home safety assessment at (763) 273-4207.
Medications Aren't Being Managed Properly
If you find expired medications, pill bottles that should be empty are still full, or evidence of taking medications incorrectly, your parent needs help. Watch for taking medications at wrong times, skipping doses, or confusion about what to take when.
While caregivers cannot administer medications, Comfort Keepers provides medication reminders to help ensure your loved one takes the right medications at the right time.
Social Withdrawal Has Increased
Is it normal for elderly to want to stay home all the time?
While some reduction in activity is normal, significant withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities indicates problems. If your parent stopped attending church, visiting friends, or pursuing hobbies, it may signal depression, mobility issues, or cognitive decline.
Social isolation increases risk of depression and accelerates decline. Our caregivers provide meaningful companionship, engage seniors in conversation and activities, and help maintain connections. We encourage participation in favorite activities—whether visiting Centennial Lakes, attending concerts, or enjoying coffee at a favorite Edina café.
Driving Has Become Unsafe
When should an elderly person stop driving?
Warning signs include getting lost on familiar routes, traffic violations, dents on the car, confusion about traffic rules, or family members feeling unsafe as passengers.
For many Edina seniors in car-dependent areas, losing the ability to drive feels like losing independence. Our senior transportation services provide reliable, safe rides to appointments, stores, and social activities—maintaining independence without the risks.
You're Experiencing Caregiver Burnout
If you're exhausted, stressed, resentful, neglecting your own health, missing work, or feeling overwhelmed by caregiving, you're experiencing burnout. Many Edina families balance demanding careers with caregiving, making burnout especially common.
You deserve support. Respite care gives family caregivers a much-needed break while ensuring excellent care for their loved one. Whether you need a few hours per week or several days, respite care allows you to recharge.
Feeling overwhelmed? Call (763) 273-4207 to learn about respite care options.
Recent Hospitalization or Health Crisis
When should home care start after hospital discharge?
Home care should begin immediately upon hospital discharge when a senior needs recovery support. Nearly 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days without proper support.
Caregivers ensure your loved one follows doctor's orders, takes medications properly, attends follow-up appointments, and has nutritious meals during recovery. For end-of-life situations, we provide compassionate end-of-life care at home.
Quick Assessment: Does Your Loved One Need Care?
Answer YES or NO:
- Fallen 2+ times in the past 6 months?
- Forgets medications regularly?
- Personal hygiene has declined?
- Home is cluttered or unsafe?
- Lost 10+ pounds unintentionally?
- Avoids social activities once enjoyed?
- You're stressed and exhausted from helping?
- Recently hospitalized?
- Gets confused about time or place?
- Driving has become unsafe?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, it's time to schedule a professional care assessment.
Common Questions About Home Care
At what age do most people need in-home care?
There's no specific age—needs depend on individual health rather than age alone. While the average is 75-85, some people need care in their 60s while others remain independent into their 90s.
Is in-home care cheaper than assisted living?
In-home care is often more cost-effective than assisted living, especially for part-time needs. The ability to customize care hours means you only pay for the services you actually need. We offer flexible scheduling from a few hours weekly to 24-hour care, allowing you to adjust as needs change. Call us for a personalized cost estimate based on your loved one's specific situation.
How do I convince my parent to accept help?
Start small. Frame it as help with specific tasks like "someone to help with grocery shopping" rather than "you need a caregiver." Involve them in choosing their caregiver and emphasize how it helps them stay independent at home. Many families find that once care begins, their loved one enjoys the companionship.
Will Medicare pay for in-home care?
Medicare covers limited home health care for medical needs after hospitalization but doesn't cover non-medical care like companionship or meal preparation. However, long-term care insurance, VA benefits for veterans, and Minnesota Medical Assistance may help cover costs.
What Should I Do Next?
If your loved one shows one or more warning signs, don't wait for a crisis. Early intervention can help reduce the risk of emergencies and preserves quality of life.
Take these steps right now:
- Call for a free consultation at (763) 273-4207
- Schedule a home assessment to evaluate safety and care needs
- Create a personalized care plan tailored to your loved one's preferences
- Meet potential caregivers before services begin
Why Families Choose Comfort Keepers
- Licensed, Bonded, and Insured - We're a fully licensed Minnesota home care agency. Unlike hiring a private caregiver, working with us protects your family legally and financially.
- Trained, Background-Checked Caregivers - Every caregiver undergoes rigorous background checks and is screened for empathy and compassion.
- Personalized Matching - We match caregivers to clients based on interests and personality—not just availability. If your mom loves gardening, we'll find a caregiver who shares that passion.
- Award-Winning Service - We've been recognized as a StarTribune Top 200 Workplace and as one of Newsweek's America's Best of the Best home care providers in Edina and the surrounding Minnesota communities.
- Flexible Care Plans - From a few hours per week to around-the-clock care, we create plans that adjust as needs change.
Get Started With Comfort Keepers Today
Recognizing your loved one needs help is difficult. You may feel guilty or overwhelmed. These feelings are normal. What matters now is taking action to ensure your parent's safety and quality of life.
📞 Call (763) 273-4207 for a free, no-obligation consultation
🌐 Visit comfortkeepers.com/offices/minnesota/edina
📧 Contact us today to schedule your assessment
