From the day humans begin to walk and talk, they strive for independence. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to know that the passion for freedom holds strong for seniors. The choice to do as they wish, remain in their home, and continue life as they always have is tied to who they are. Adding companion care at home is an excellent way for loved ones to help seniors get what they need and want. Continue reading to understand the signs to look for when assessing what loved ones need.

A Preemptive Approach Is Best

As seniors strive for independence, they rarely admit they need help. Truly, it’s no different than anyone at any age hoping to gain or keep the independence they need. The fact is, most people don’t like to ask or admit they need help. That doesn’t magically change when they hit a certain age. Unfortunately, in many cases, this means that loved ones might not know that seniors need help until an accident or an unexpected trip to the hospital.

The sooner the need for companion care at home is realized, the better. This requires open and honest communication and consistent monitoring. Consider the following daily living skills and how loved ones handle each task to help assess when care is needed.

• Bathing and grooming – has the hygiene routine remained the same, or have changes been noticed, such as unkempt hair?
• Dressing – are loved ones missing buttons or choosing the same clothes?
• Toileting and incontinence
• Walking from room to room
• Eating or drinking – have seniors lost or gained weight? Has their diet changed?

Watch For Changes in Behavior, Appearance, and Functioning

One of the best ways to assess if seniors need companion care at home is to monitor their moods, appearance, and functioning. From the list above, those categories can be broken down even further.

For example, seniors with difficulty getting around may show increased bruising or scapes, indicating falls. When visiting, loved ones may notice that seniors get up less often or are slow to move around the space. These issues might not point to a mobility issue but to difficulty with the floor plan. As seniors age, it’s essential to look around the home and ensure it is still functioning for them. Elder care providers can help loved ones assess safety in the house and monitor for falls.

When evaluating seniors’ changing moods, it’s essential to understand that some level of frustration or stubborn behavior is expected. Remember, they are fighting to keep things as familiar as possible. But when loved ones notice a decrease in motivation, withdrawal from hobbies or social groups, or extreme mood swings that might be coupled with abusive behavior, it’s time to evaluate the need for added home care assistance.

Communicating With Seniors About the Need for Companion Care At Home

The next step is to talk with elders about their changing needs for care if they exhibit any of the warning indicators below. Communication is needed to ensure everyone works toward the same goal and to prevent surprises. It is ideal to have a conversation with them about the future as soon as possible. Introduce the topic politely and in a way that will enable them to take part in determining the underlying issue(s) and developing solutions.

Companion care at home provides peace of mind for loved ones. Additionally, seniors gain a supportive team member, increased safety in their home, and a chance for continued independence.

Source:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-aging-parent-needs-help
https://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/10-signs-a-senior-may-need-assistance-with-daily-living/

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Almena, MI, please contact the caring staff at Fresh Perspective Home Care today. Call (269) 329-4717

Fresh Perspective Home Care is a trusted non-medical senior home care provider in Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, Richland, Vicksburg, Schoolcraft, Three Rivers, Gull Lake, Yorkville and Otsego, Michigan.

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Shelly Nutter

Area Vice President at Fresh Perspective Home Care

Shelly Nutter has been a driving force in the Fresh Perspective Home Care team since 2008 and is currently the Area Vice President. She began caring for others at a young age and has never looked back. Her strong faith and family values drives her passion for helping others. Shelly says she never found a career that fulfilled a "bigger purpose" her previous jobs until begin her home care career with Fresh Perspective Home Care. "Here I found growth, purpose, and a career to match my personal ambition of making a difference in the lives of others." Shelly is native to the Kalamazoo/Portage, Mi area and has been married for over 25 years Together they have three children that she believes have benefited from watching Mom work hard to help others, advocate for others, and give to others. She also holds a bachelors degree in Accounting and an associates degree in Business Management.

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