Seniors who intend to live at home for as long as possible often don’t fully realize when they need more help in order to make that happen. It can also be difficult for family caregivers to recognize when things have gotten to a stage when home care would make a big difference. Watching for signs like these can help everyone involved keep seniors safe while they age in place.

Trouble with Daily Activities

Daily activities are routine and seniors may have been doing them for years and years, but eventually they become more difficult and take longer. When seniors are struggling with these tasks, their lives are more difficult than they need to be. Elder care providers can ensure that seniors are resting but still have these essential tasks in hand.

Frequent Falls or Mobility Issues

If seniors are falling or experiencing mobility issues, it’s time to look for some extra help. Falls are a leading cause of injuries that can have lifelong impacts for seniors. Having help can avoid those problems.

Cognitive Decline and Memory Loss

When cognitive decline and significant memory loss are becoming more obvious, seniors may not be as safe at home as they need to be. Home care providers can offer the help that seniors need in order to be safe and to have their needs met. That assistance also offers peace of mind to family caregivers.

Social Isolation and Loneliness

Spending too much time alone can very rapidly lead to both isolation and loneliness. Neither are healthy for aging adults. When seniors start to withdraw from social activities and spend too much time alone, having additional help can help them to stay connected.

Decline in Nutrition or Personal Hygiene

Neglecting personal hygiene or nutritional needs can cause serious health ramifications for seniors. When seniors are struggling to keep up with these tasks, having the right help ensures that they are able to remain healthy and continue to age in place.

Neglected Home Environment

Signs of neglect in a senior’s home include things like expired foods in the fridge, dust and clutter in the home, and household repairs that have gone undone. Mail piling up, an overgrown yard, and unwashed clothing are also big signs. These tasks often get ignored because seniors aren’t able to manage them anymore on their own, so they need help.

Worsening Chronic Health Conditions

Health issues take an awful lot out of a person. For seniors, that can mean that health issues worsening leads to neglected personal care and ignored household tasks, which then contributes to worsening health. It’s all a vicious cycle that doesn’t have to be that way.

Seniors may not always be interested in having help right away. There can be a lot of emotional baggage wrapped up in having help, including feeling as if they’re losing independence. Home care providers are there to assist, but not to take over or to make life more complicated for the person receiving care. When seniors experience those benefits, they’re often more receptive.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Silver Spring, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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