Beyond the normal aches and pains, aging brings many changes to your loved one, our family, and their friends. At Seniors Helping Seniors, we are here to help you decide if your loved one needs the assistance of our in-home senior caregivers.
Signs It’s Time to Ask For Help
In most cases, your loved one will begin to display the following behavior as they increasingly become unable to complete daily tasks like:
- Unpaid bills- one of the most obvious signs of this will be stacks of unpaid bills and threats made by debt collectors.
- Empty fridge and pantry- either your loved one has stopped going to the store or they have become unable to remember and decide to go grocery shopping. While it is normal for a loss of appetite to happen to your loved one, they should never be left alone with improper nutrition.
- Missing important appointments- whether they are missing appointments from forgetfulness or not being able to transport themselves
- Difficulty getting up from a seated position
- Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks
- Dirty house, extreme clutter and dirty laundry piling up
- Poor diet or weight loss- whether they have stopped keeping food in their home or stopped eating altogether, this can potentially lead to many health complications. In other scenarios, you loved one may need to be reminded when to eat.
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities- while your loved one's abilities begin to slowly decline, many seniors can show signs of depression. One very characteristic symptom of depression is a lack of interest in participating in once enjoyed hobbies and activities.
- Changes in mood or extreme mood swings- one of the major culprits of your seniors sudden moods and personality treatments can usually be chalked up to frustration. While their bodies and minds may be aging, they can often feel helpless and no longer in control of their daily lives.
Beyond daily habits, your loved one may be showing signs that they are unable to properly care for their health and hygiene needs:
- Incontinence- these signs will be obvious. Generally, your loved one’s home may begin to smell like urine and you may notice they are not able to care for their own bathroom needs.
- Infrequent showering- again, the signs of this behavior will be noticeable. Your loved one is no longer performing daily grooming or showering needs which has lead to poor hygiene.
In other cases, you may notice more severe signs that your senior needs help. If you notice any of these behaviors, it is possible your loved one has 
become unable to complete daily tasks that may lead to injury or other safety concerns.
- Dents, scratches, and other vehicle damage- If you begin to notice any indication that your loved one has been driving recklessly, it is time to seek help.
- Burn marks on pots and pans, burnt food- it may time for your senior to let another person, someone they trust, cook food for them. There are plenty of opportunities for injury, fire, and other saf
ety hazards if one is not able to properly operate kitchen utensils, appliances, and heat. - Unexplained bruising- these mystery bruises may show up from an being unable to properly perform mobility tasks.
- Difficulty with walking, balance, and mobility- many seniors will still try to be independent in their mobility, but to great risk. Falling and balance issues will likely lead to serious injury.
- Forgetting to take medications or overdosing- many medications cannot be mixed, skipped, or improperly doses. This can lead to a multitude of complications and life-threatening consequences.
If you or your loved one have begun to notice any of these changes, it is time to seek professional help. Our senior in-home caregivers are trained and compassionate individuals who are ready to help you and your family. Please reach out to us today to discuss your needs.