Signs Your Senior Parent Needs Home Care

By Jessica Ott | September 19, 2024 |

More seniors than ever are choosing to stay in their own homes as they get older. But those seniors, and yours, may need some extra help at home. Home care services are support for seniors who want to live independently.

Home care providers can do everything from taking out the trash and mopping the floor to making sure your mom or dad doesn’t mix up their medications. Home care helps seniors live safely and comfortably in their own homes as long as they are able. Often seniors don’t want to admit that they need help, even if they are having mobility challenges or other age-related issues.

If you have noticed that your senior mom or dad is showing any of these 10 common signs it’s time for you to talk to them about home care:

Difficulty with Daily Activities

Home Care Gettysburg PA – Signs Your Senior Parent Needs Home Care

If your mom or dad is struggling with tasks like cooking, laundry, or shopping that is a good indication that they need home care. Even if your mom or dad isn’t battling a major health problem they may need extra help as they get older because of things like vision problems, arthritis, or general decline.

Unexplained Weight Loss

A sudden drop in weight could mean that your mom or dad is struggling with meal preparation, appetite, or shopping for healthy food. Often seniors will just skip meals if they are worried about hurting themselves cooking or slipping in the kitchen. And if your mom or dad is having trouble getting around they may not want to try doing the grocery shopping.

Frequent Falls or Balance Issues

Is your mom or dad falling more? Or losing their balance frequently? Increased incidents of falling, tripping, or difficulty maintaining balance are red flags that your parent might need help to stay safe at home.

Worsening Medical Conditions

If your parent has a chronic illness that’s becoming harder to manage or is leading to frequent hospital visits, home care could provide the necessary support that they need to avoid flare ups or trips to the hospital.

Neglecting Personal Hygiene

If you notice that your senior parent’s grooming habits have declined, such as not bathing regularly or wearing dirty clothes, it could indicate they need help with personal care.

Memory Problems

Forgetting appointments, medications, or important tasks, or showing signs of confusion, may suggest your mom or dad is experiencing some cognitive decline. If that’s the case having home care will give you the peace of mind of knowing your mom or dad is never alone.

Social Withdrawal

If your parent is becoming increasingly isolated, avoiding social interactions, or losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, home care can provide companionship and emotional support.

Messy or Cluttered Home

A home that’s become untidy, with piled-up laundry, dishes, or unpaid bills, may indicate that your parent is struggling to keep up with household responsibilities.

Poor Medication Management

Missing doses, taking incorrect amounts, or forgetting to refill prescriptions are signs that your parent may need help managing their medications.

Changes in Mood or Behavior

Noticeable shifts in mood, such as increased irritability, anxiety, depression, or paranoia, can signal that your parent needs additional support to manage their emotional well-being.

**If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Gettysburg PA, please get in touch with us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions. In-Home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.**

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Jessica Ott

Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC

Jessica Ott is the Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC.

A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC is dedicated to providing our clients with a better quality of life through our support services while maintaining their independence in the comfort of their own home.

As a Home Care Agency licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we can provide families with peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in good hands.

We will work with you to prepare a care plan that incorporates your needs, your wishes, and your preferred schedule. Each client is matched with a caregiver who can best meet their individual needs, whether they reside in a house, apartment, condominium, assisted living, or nursing community.