Signs Your Elderly Loved One May Be Ready for Live-In Care

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It's something no adult son or daughter wants to think about -- what will happen when mom or dad experiences health problems that make living at home unsafe? For residents of the Shrewsbury, New Jersey area, that is an all too common conundrum, and when the worst happens, it can seem as if there are no good choices.

If you are in such a situation, you may think that nursing home care is the only option, but that's not the case. If you have been worrying about an older loved one, you will be glad to know that live-in care is available where you live, right here in the Shrewsbury, New Jersey area.

So how do you know if someone you care about is having problems at home? What should you look for before talking to your parents about the need for, and the importance of, in-home care? Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Frequent Hospitalizations

In-home care has many benefits for older loved ones, but safety is by far the most important. Problems with medication management can lead to hospitalization -- as can mobility issues that make it difficult to bathe and maintain proper hygiene.

If your loved one has been hospitalized more than once in the past couple of months, it's time to discuss in-home care. Frequent hospitalizations are always cause for concern, and it's important to ask some questions and work with your loved one and their medical team.

Falls Around the Home

Another sign your older loved one could benefit from in-home care is if they're experiencing falls in or around the home. The home can be the most dangerous place for those who need in-home care but do not have it.

The bathroom is a particularly common place for falls, but dangers can also lurk in other places. The danger could be even greater if the home your loved one lives in has stairs; in that case, in-home care is even more appropriate.

A Decline in Personal Hygiene

When the need for in-home care arises, it's not uncommon for older loved ones to be resistant. While they may claim that everything is fine, their personal hygiene and grooming patterns could tell a different story.

It is important to watch out for the early warning signs, and any decline in personal grooming or hygiene should be cause for concern. If your normally fastidious mom is wearing the same clothes day after day, or your neat freak dad is leaving dirty dishes in the sink all day, it's time to ask some questions.

Memory Issues

Some aging issues are more serious than others, and memory problems, in particular, can make competent in-home care a necessity. If an older loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or a similar health challenge, you may need in-home care sooner rather than later.

Memory problems tend to get worse over time, and it's not unusual for these illnesses to take a sudden turn for the worse. Even if you only suspect an older loved one has memory problems, you should consider the advantages of in-home care.

In-home care is a valuable resource for seniors and their families. It can provide the peace of mind to help you and your loved one rest a little easier. If your loved one might benefit from in-home care, contact Comfort Keepers of Shrewsbury, NJ today. If you have any questions about our in-home care services, we'd be happy to answer them.