7 Signs that Show When a Loved One Needs More Support

As seniors age, and individuals confront challenges stemming from long-term surgery, or managing chronic illness, day to day tasks can become unmanageable. Pain and cognitive issues in particular can leave seniors and people in need of physical healing trapped in a cycle of constant stress, pain, and exhaustion.

According to Warren Johnstone, one of the biggest challenges Qualicare franchise partners face is serving individuals who are hesitant to get help. It’s normal to feel uncertain, and Qualicare hopes to normalize in-home care, and educate families on how to know when they may need extra help.

Determining when to ask for help is a wide-spread challenge. The reality is that 40% of seniors need daily assistance one way or another, and 70% will need in-home care at some point in their lives. So how can loved ones support people who need a little more help in their day-to-day lives? Fortunately, there are a number of tell-tale signs that can help determine when it’s time to contact a home healthcare and senior care franchise like Qualicare.

Here are 7 signs to look for:

Personal hygiene and home environment declines

One sign that a senior or individual with illness needs extra support is if their living environment begins to show a lack of care. If laundry is not being done, bathrooms are not being cleaned, and the kitchen begins to pile up expired food, it may be time to hire an in-home caretaker.

Personal hygiene issues are also a sign that an individual may need assistance. If a person stops bathing, or wears the same clothes several days in a row, they may be having difficulty taking care of themselves. The physical results of poor hygiene mean that germs are more likely to grow, which puts people in a more vulnerable pace to become ill. Serious complications can arise with a lack of hygiene if, for example, individuals stop brushing their teeth, leading to gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Additionally, poor hygiene can be a sign that a senior is experiencing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

These issues should be met with kindness and care. Individuals can feel shame when their personal environments begin to decline, and families can help ease this problem by encouraging a loved one to get more help.

Feelings of depression and loneliness

Unfortunately in our society, many seniors report feeling lonely and depressed. Isolation can be a factor in this, and the companionship that a caretaker provides can be a much-needed balm. Sometimes people lose interest in activities they once cared about, or spend too much time watching television and not leaving the home when they feel depressed. This leads to a decline in physical and mental health. If you see signs of loneliness in your loved one, offer to help find some extra care & companionship.

Missing prescription medication

Many seniors make mistakes in administering their own medications. It is a serious health risk, and should be a sign that additional caregiving assistance is needed. A 2017 Washington Post article notes that researchers estimate 1 in 4 people aged 65-69 take at least 5 different prescription drugs. As seniors age that figure almost doubles, to almost half of seniors age 70-79. Proper medication administration is vital to good health.

Falling incidents & balance issues

Every year, more than 1 in 4 seniors will fall, according to the U.S. Center for Disease and Control. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death by injury, for older adults. Unexplained bruises, and pain when rising from a restful position can be signs that a fall has occurred. If seniors look unsteady when walking, or their feet drag, a fall could be imminent.

There are a number of medical conditions which can cause the lack of balance. Medication side effects alone can cause balance issues. Oftentimes, heart problems, including hypertension and poor circulation are causes of balance issues. Hypertension is caused by high blood pressure, which can make seniors feel dizzy, have an abnormal heart rate and neurological problems, which can cause problems balancing.

Additionally, seniors who have cardiac arrhythmia may be more likely to have balance issues. Cardiac arrhythmia is caused by an abnormal heart rate. It causes chest pain, anxiety, heart palpitations and severe dizziness. Loss of balance can be a sign that a senior has cardiac arrhythmia and should be treated right away.

Unpaid bills & unopened mail

If you start seeing stacks of envelopes piling up in your loved one’s home, it may be a sign they are in need of a caregiver. Unpaid bills can become a terrible burden on seniors who are in need of extra help. Time-sensitive mail is a task that a caregiver can assist with, and should be taken as a serious sign that extra help is needed.

Forgetfulness

Everyone can be a little forgetful at times. “Senior moments” can come and go, and not necessarily be a sign of needing extra help. But chronic forgetfulness can be a sign of more serious condition, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, which absolutely needs to be addressed. When a senior chronically misses doctor’s appointments, family events, and has unpaid bills and unanswered messages, it’s a sign that a memory may be a serious issue & it could be time to hire in-home care.

Driving problems

A common sign that a senior may need more assistance is how they manage their car, and maintain driving skills. Sometimes seniors are dangerous on the road, and if you notice damage to their vehicle or an aversion to driving, it could be a sign they need to give up their keys. Though seen as a loss of independence, if a caregiver is hired at the same time to help take seniors where they need to go, driving issues could be resolved right away.