How to Tell if an Elderly Person Needs Assistance at Home

The majority of elderly people have the desire to remain in their own homes for as long as they possibly can, rather than moving in with a family member or moving to a senior community. Yet, as individuals become older, many of them begin to have difficulty with activities of daily living such as shopping, cooking, maintaining their homes, and taking care of themselves.

The following is a list of typical gripes and worries that members of the family may hear:

“I just don’t feel like preparing a whole dinner for myself anymore,” the speaker said.

“I had been snoozing on the sofa. It’s not easy to go to the second floor.”

“Doing the laundry exhausts me far more than it used to,” the speaker said.

“I used to feel rather secure going to the grocery store by myself, but now I don’t.”

Even though loved ones and friends may be ready to offer a hand, providing assistance with even a few basic responsibilities requires time and effort. When the care requirements of a loved one develop, many family caregivers find that their initial offer of assistance soon expands into offering several hours of assistance on a weekly basis. There are a number of obstacles that can arise when providing care for elderly people in their own homes; however, there are also a variety of services that can alleviate some of the stress experienced by caregivers, increase a senior’s sense of independence, enhance their sense of safety, offer home health care, and assist them in successfully ageing in place.

Support for seniors living at home

Home care providers are able to provide helpful solutions for elderly people who want to remain in their homes but need support to do so. Ageing in place is a term that simply refers to the act of someone planning to stay in their own house for as long as they are able to, regardless of whether or not they will need the assistance of another person.

There is a wide variety of support available for elderly people who live alone. The following is a list of some of the more typical areas in which elderly people may need assistance, as well as some ideas for companies and organizations that may offer this assistance. Keep in mind that in-home care bundles many different services into a single point of contact, whereas hiring individual services is great for addressing one or two unrelated needs and tends to keep the overall cost down. However, keep in mind that hiring individual services is great for addressing one or two unrelated needs. This choice provides an exceptionally handy alternative for elderly people who want assistance in a variety of different areas.

Housekeeping

Does the person you care for need help with errands such as cleaning the home or doing the laundry? The hiring of a home helper for elderly people might remove these responsibilities off both their and your plates. If you want to determine whether or not employing someone else to conduct household duties will enable you to make better use of your time, you need first to determine how much of your time is spent performing these tasks. It is possible to schedule house cleaning services on a weekly, bimonthly, or monthly basis. Even if you just do it once a month, a thorough cleaning may be helpful in relieving the burden of more time-consuming daily chores on you or a loved one.

Housekeeping assistance of a light nature may also be provided by home care agencies to ensure that the living space of a senior citizen is tidy, risk-free, and well-organized. It is important to keep in mind that the primary responsibilities of a home care assistant are to give personal assistance and supervision rather than to do intensive cleaning tasks such as window washing or carpet cleaning.

Assistance with shopping and errands, as well as transportation services

In recent years, a lot of companies have started offering more convenient services, such as delivery service and pick-up right at the curb. It is possible to buy almost any product imaginable online; however, many neighbourhood grocery shops, pharmacy stores, dry cleaners, and other retail outlets also provide customers with the option of same-day delivery or rapid pick-up for their orders. These services may make going to the store much easier, and in certain situations, they can even eliminate the need to leave the home completely. This is a wonderful opportunity for elderly people who get tired quickly, have restricted movement, are confined to their homes, or can no longer drive. If getting to and from the shop is the most difficult part of doing errands, there are a number of choices available to help with this, including public transit, taxis, and ride-hailing services.

Home care firms provide companion services, which may include transportation to medical appointments, the grocery store, and other errands. These services are often paid for by the client. Not only can hired companions and home care aides provide transportation, but they also give the extra advantage of door-through-door assistance while assisting with things like going shopping or to appointments. They are even able to take notes throughout sessions if that is required. If a client is unable to leave their house or expresses a desire not to do so, an aide may go shopping for them and bring back any necessary supplies on their own.

The preparation of meals

It is possible for a senior’s poor diet to have a significant negative impact on their overall health. In a pinch, you may want to resort to meal-replacement smoothies, meal-replacement shakes, or frozen meals. Yet, these choices aren’t the best ones to choose when it comes to key sources of nourishment.

Meals on Wheels One of the most well-known companies that deliver meals to elderly people is called America. Delivery of nutritious meals is a fundamental component of the service, however, the specifics of the program might differ from one location to another. Eligible participants must be at least 60 years old, have restricted mobility, and struggle to meet their own nutritional needs. In most cases, the cost of these meals is determined by a sliding scale that takes into account the senior’s financial situation. There is a multitude of other prepared food delivery services available around the nation, such as Hello Fresh, which may assist in providing care for elderly individuals in the comfort of their own homes.

There is no substitute for a meal prepared in the comfort of one’s own home, and many home care services provide personal care aides who are able to plan, buy for, and prepare meals from scratch. Seniors often like trying out new dishes and working in the kitchen together. It is extremely useful for elderly people who live alone to have meals with other people because of the social component. Even if an assistant doesn’t come around very often, they may still make huge amounts of handmade foods and store them in the freezer so that they can be reheated at a later time.

Money management

The management of one’s financial situation may be taxing and difficult for people of any age. It’s possible that maintaining a budget and paying expenses may become a burden or possibly a significant obstacle as a loved one age. The risks associated with high levels of debt, wasteful expenditure, and overdue or unpaid payments may be significant. It is of the utmost importance to make certain that an elderly family member is both at ease with and competent to handle their financial matters. If you are unable to do so, it may be beneficial to hire a financial counsellor, geriatric care manager, or daily money manager to assist in maintaining their excellent financial health. Be sure, however, that the recommendation is coming from a reliable source.

Medication management

Medications are often necessary to treat the persistent medical issues that are common among the elderly. According to the findings of a study that was carried out by experts at Oregon State University, approximately forty per cent of individuals aged 65 and older use five or more prescription prescriptions on a regular basis. When the routine of a loved one gets to be too difficult or when they start making errors with their prescription, it is imperative that they seek assistance.

It is true that there are items available, such as pill boxes, phone call reminders, automated dispensers, and others, that may help with the management of medicine. Nevertheless, these choices often need the presence of a third party to ensure that the senior has followed the dosing instructions for their medication. Home care professionals who make regular visits at the same time each day are able to personally remind patients to take their medications and verify that the appropriate quantities were administered. If a senior needs professional nursing care on an as-needed basis, Medicare will, in certain circumstances, pay for a nurse to visit the senior’s home in order to provide prescription administration.

Providers of mobility services

For elderly people, having restricted mobility may make getting around challenging and even hazardous at times. It is possible for professional carers to offer additional monitoring as well as support with mobility and transfers, therefore lowering the risk of falling as well as other mishaps that might occur in the home. When they are aware that they are being observed and that assistance is not far away, many elderly people are actually more active and experience less anxiety. In point of fact, home care aides are more than delighted to accompany patients on walks and engage in other activities and workouts that help clients maintain and improve their mobility.

Services pertaining to one’s personal and one’s hygiene

Regrettably, a decrease in a senior’s bodily and/or mental health often coincides with a fall in their level of personal cleanliness. It’s possible that routine activities like taking a shower, brushing one’s teeth, putting on clean clothing, and shaving might become tedious or complicated, causing them to go farther and further down on the priority list. It’s possible that the only answer is to assist a loved one while they shower.

On the other hand, there are situations in which an elderly person would feel more at ease getting help with washing from a qualified expert than from a member of their own family. It is less personal, and it might help them maintain their modesty while they are with members of their family.

Home care firms and home health services are often the only places where one may get trained assistants who are able to give help with bathing. They will dispatch a bathing assistant who has received specialized training to provide prompt and unobtrusive assistance to your loved one while they take a shower, bath, or bed bath. Many caregivers choose to use bathing services for elders in order to avoid the awkwardness that comes along with giving such personal help. Maintaining proper personal hygiene is essential for good health. Assisting seniors with clothing, using the restroom, and managing incontinence are just some of the tasks that personal care assistants may do.

Have a look at our totally free guides on senior care.

In recent years, a growing number of hairdressers and beauty salons have been providing mobile services in order to attract more high-end clients interested in services such as manicures, pedicures, and haircuts. But, accessibility is dependent on the geographic location of the senior.

How do find and recruit elderly care workers to come into the house?

Speak to the person you care about what they believe their requirements are in order to continue living in their home as they age and confer with the other people on their care team. When you’ve decided which chores they’re having trouble with and which services would be beneficial for them, the next step is to start exploring local suppliers in their region. Make it a priority to collect as much information as you possibly can so that you can make a well-informed and self-assured choice about the home care provider for your parent.

Referrals might come from a variety of reliable sources, including family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues. Inquire among your friends and acquaintances to find out whether any of them have ever made use of any of the aforementioned services. This can help you get a better understanding of which ones might potentially be advantageous, as well as which services are credible.

Another good source of information about federal, state, and local programs and benefits that are available for elderly citizens and the caregivers who take care of them is the local Area Agency on Aging in your community. Providers of health care, social workers, houses of worship, charitable organizations, and outreach offices could also offer information about local elder services or run their own programs in this capacity.

It goes without saying that providing care for an elderly person will incur expenditures; thus, it is essential to take prices into account while searching for care providers. The majority of the aforementioned services are paid for privately, however, some of them could be covered by insurance, priced differently depending on a senior’s economic level, or offered for free. If your loved one is still able to live independently for the most part, paying for only a few services out of pocket might postpone placement in senior care and wind up costing less money in the long run.

Consider getting in touch with one of EmbracingHomeCare Care Advisors so that they can provide you with information, suggestions, and direction while you look for in-home senior care options. With participation in our caregiver forum, you will have the opportunity to network with other family caregivers who have gone through experiences with in-home care for their aging parents that are comparable to your own.

Are you looking for compassionate and reliable home care services in Orange, Osceola, Brevard, or Seminole counties? Look no further than our professional team at Embracing Home Care! Our highly trained caregivers provide personalized care for seniors and individuals with disabilities, ensuring that they can continue to live independently in the comfort of their own homes. With a variety of services including personal care, transportation, meal preparation, and companionship, we strive to improve the quality of life for our clients and provide peace of mind for their families. Contact us today at 321-758-2036 to learn more about our affordable and flexible home care options and to schedule a consultation with one of our care coordinators. Let us help you or your loved one live life to the fullest!  We serve Central Florida cities like Orlando, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Sanford, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville, Kissimmee, St.  Cloud, Celebration, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Longwood, Winter Springs, Cocoa Beach and more.