Does Your Loved One Need a Caregiver?

With the holidays approaching and families spending time together, now might be a good time to take stock of whether an older loved one needs extra assistance.

Thats why our in-home care providers at Qualicare North York would like to share some insight about signs that may indicate help is needed. Read on as we take a look.

Realizing that your loved one needs a caregiver can be hard. No one wants to think of their parents or other relatives as anything but super human.

However, as we age, things change. Any number of factors, including an increased fall risk, diminished mobility and even dementia, can put older adults in a position where they need a caregiver.

There are a few tell-tale signs that an older adult might need some added help accomplished normal, everyday activities:

Unsteadiness

According to the National Council on Aging, falls among the elderly occur every 11 seconds. And a fall is often a sign of an underlying issue, including:

• A new medical problem

• A reaction or side effect from a medication

• Low vitamin D levels

By having a caregiver with your loved one when you cannot be, you can feel comforted knowing someone is there to help. This can include both helping to prevent falls and providing instant assistance in the case of a fall.

Unpaid Bills

Was your loved one always the type of person to pay his or her bills early? Are bills now going unpaid?

It may not be due to lack of funds but rather a lack or remembering what bills are due and when, which could be a symptom of dementia. In this case, a in-home care provider could be extremely beneficial in the care of your loved one.

Inability to Accomplish Normal Tasks

Your loved one may not express that he or she needs help, but there are some signs that additional help is needed. If you notice that your parent or other relative is slower than usual or seems to be struggling to accomplish normal tasks of daily living, like bathing, cooking or even moving around, it may be a sign that his or her abilities have diminished.

In that case, having someone around to help can ensure your loved one can remain independent while still having access to an extra hand when needed.

Could your loved one use a helping hand to remain comfortably in the home? Contact the team at Qualicare North York today to learn how we can help.