6 Signs That Your Elderly Needs A Caregiver

As you age, your health isn’t getting any better. It’ll be difficult to maintain your regular lifestyle since you’re refused with mobility and comfort to move around. Being an elderly is a big challenge, but caregivers go out of their way to help these people. Caregivers have a wide variety of responsibilities to provide care for seniors, particularly in maintaining their lifestyle within the comfort of their own home.

Usually, family members act as caregivers since they’re a better option in terms of personal care. However, it becomes overwhelming for relatives to take care of their seniors due to the demands of their own lives.

This is when trained caregivers come into the picture. They’re more equipped with skills and capabilities to take care of a senior. If you need one, you can easily sign up for Tandem CarePlanning.   But, before that, here are six signs to confirm if your elderly already needs a caregiver:

 

Arising Health Issues

 

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that about 80% of older adults develop at least one chronic disease, while 77% develop two chronic diseases. With these alarming numbers, your senior might be currently experiencing the same or is bound to develop a chronic condition sooner.

Once you start seeing symptoms of rising health issues, it’s time to find a professional caregiver who can manage these health conditions. If your senior is still undiagnosed, here are some indications that there might be an underlying health issue happening:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Frequent falling and stumbling
  • Trouble waking up

Moreover, your senior will definitely need a caregiver if they’re still recovering from a health condition and medical procedures. They’ll need someone to help them take medications on time and assist them in their daily life.

 

Forgetting Usual Tasks

 

Age-related memory loss in elderly is increasingly common. In fact, age-associated memory impairment has been found to affect about 40% of people ages 65 and up, and the worst 1% progresses to dementia every year. Aside from underlying chronic diseases, age-related memory loss and dementia are also ailments to worry about your elderly.

If you notice your senior forgetting their usual tasks and struggling in managing them, it’s probably the right time to find a caregiver. Some signs of these forgetfulness can include the following scenarios:

  • Unopened mails and late payment notices piling up
  • Misplaced objects put on illogical places at home
  • Keeps on repeating themselves
  • Unfinished tasks
  • Messy and disorganized living space

If age-associated memory loss bothers you, dementia is another thing that you should look out for. Once you notice your elderly experiencing these signs, have them checked first by an expert to identify if they’re suffering from age-related memory impairment or dementia. This way, your caregiver can establish a better, more specific approach in assisting your elderly.

 

Lack Of Proper Hygiene

 

People at any age always prioritize proper personal hygiene. Although people employ varying ways to maintain cleanliness, you can easily notice once a person lacks proper hygiene recently.

Have you spotted your elderly wearing the same clothes everyday?   Is their appearance declining?   Have you noticed body odor?   If yes, they need a caregiver to assist them at maintaining proper hygiene.

Despite your senior’s age, proper hygiene should still be monitored because it’ll be their greatest defense against many health conditions. Proper hygiene and health goes hand-in-hand to keep your senior protected against immune system debilitating conditions.  

Lastly, a good physical health achieved from consistent and proper hygiene can positively impact your senior’s mental and emotional health as well. This will motivate them to look for new hobbies, interests, and activities that they’ll truly enjoy.

 

Aggression And Mood Changes

 

Because of age and declining health, your elderly might not always feel as emotionally well as before. Abrupt behavioral changes and mood swings are common among seniors, but you should be able to identify if these can lead to something worse. Also, other indications can include self-isolation, change in personal hygiene, and weight loss or gain.

If your loved one is exhibiting abrupt mood swings, it can be a sign of anxiety, depression, or another mental health concern. In a report written by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 20% of adults aged 55 and above experience at least a mental health concern, but only one out of three acquire treatment.

Moreover, increased temper and hostility can take a toll on family caregivers. Because of frequent irritability and aggression, a family caregiver may experience burnout, which can also put your senior in danger. Hiring professional caregivers is a better option since they’re trained and more skilled to manage these kinds of temperament.  

 

Cuts, Bruises, And Other Injuries

 

When you leave seniors unattended, mobility issues can be a huge challenge for them. Because of this, they’re at a much greater risk of suffering from injuries and accidents. According to NCOA, falls are the number one cause of death among elders aged 65 and up. If you see cuts, bruises, and any injury on your senior, it’s an absolute sign to get them a caregiver immediately.

Professional caregivers, unlike family caregivers, are more knowledgeable and certified in fall prevention. With their help, they can fall-proof your senior loved one to make them feel safe even without your presence.

 

Fall Hazards Around The House

 

During your home construction and renovation, you might not have considered eliminating fall hazards or building safe areas that could cater to the elderly due to a variety of factors. However, when your senior loved one moves into your home, there can be a lot of safety hazards that can put them at risk. Some examples include poor lighting, indoor and outdoor stairs without railings, and more. Consider evaluating your entire home and look for potential fall hazards.

For professional advice, you can ask help from certified aging in place specialists (CAPS) and physical therapists to evaluate your beloved senior’s needs, environment, and mobility. They can recommend modifications for your home and teach your senior different exercises to reinforce their strength and balance to avoid falls.

 

Conclusion

 

While some people think that hiring professional caregivers are not a good option because family members can provide better care, they’re actually putting their senior’s life in more danger. In fact, trained caregivers can be your best option since they provide professional and specified care. Once you notice any of the above-mentioned signs appearing in your elderly, consider hiring a caregiver now and spend more quality time with your senior loved one.

 

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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our health risk assessment, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years.

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Written by HealthStatus
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our health risk assessment, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years.

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