Many older adults eventually require some level of care to remain safe and comfortable in their homes. For some families, it is easy to determine when it is time to involve home care services. Perhaps the older adult suffers an injury because of a fall or develops a major illness, such as cancer. In these situations, it’s often obvious that help is needed. However, when the need for help develops slowly over time because of frailness or diminished cognitive abilities, it’s not always so easy to know when the time to hire home care services is right.

Knowing some signs to watch can make it easier to know when it is time to contact an home care services agency.

Spoiled Food in the Refrigerator

Okay, everyone has something in the refrigerator go bad now and then. That’s pretty normal. However, an older adult who is having difficulty feeding themselves often has more spoiled food in the refrigerator than normal. This can be an indication that they are unable to judge when food has gone bad or it can mean that they are having physical difficulty preparing food and keeping the kitchen clean.

Dirty House

Look at the condition of your aging relative’s house. If they were always good at keeping the house clean and neat in the past, but don’t seem to be now, it’s often a sign of a problem. Pay attention to the floors, kitchen surfaces, and bathroom. If they are unusually dirty, the older adult may not be able to perform cleaning tasks on their own. They may also have developed poor eyesight, which means they may not see how dirty the house is.

Poor Hygiene

How is your older family’s physical appearance? If they seem to be forgetting to bathe or shower, they may have a cognitive impairment or may be frightened of falling in the bathroom. Seniors who are having difficulty caring for themselves may smell bad, have dirty hair, or bad breath. You may also notice that their clothing is dirty.

Unable to Drive

If your older family member isn’t able to drive anymore, they may need help from home care services. While they may be able to get rides from family members and friends, this can make them feel like a burden on others. It may also be inconvenient for them to wait for someone to give them a ride. Home care services can be a good solution to this problem because they can be scheduled to arrive whenever the senior wants, meaning they can stick to their regular grocery shopping schedule and get to medical appointments.

For Home Care Services in Memphis TN, please contact the caring staff at Personal Care Services MidSouth today!