4 Signs That Your Parents May Need Some Home Health Care Assistance
If you have elderly parents, it is essential that you monitor your parents and get them extra assistance at home when they are no longer able to take care of all of their needs. Here are four signs that you need to watch out for that will let you know if your parents need a little extra assistance at home via a home health care provider.
#1 Eating Habits
The first thing that you need to do is watch your parent's eating habits. Take some time to check and inspect both their pantry and their fridge. Make sure that both are stocked with the proper items and that the food is not expired. When you look at the food in their fridge and pantry, see if they have the right food in order to have a balanced diet. Take a look at the sink and see if they are able to wash and clean up after themselves.
If they don't have enough food in their pantry, they may need assistance with shopping. If they seem to be eating a lot simpler than they used to, they may need some assistance preparing meals in the kitchen. If their kitchen is really dirty, they may not be able to keep up with the cleaning duties that come with making their own food.
#2 Hygiene
Second, pay attention to your parent's hygiene. Do they smell good and fresh, like they have been showering or bathing on a regular basis?
If your parent's mobility has decreased, you may want to look into installing a handrail for your parents to use in both the bathtub, shower, and near the toilet. You may also want to anchor down rugs so that your parents will not slip on them in the bathroom area.
If these home improvements don't improve your parent's hygiene, they may need a little assistance with bathing, which a home health care assistant could provide.
#3 Medication
Third, count your parent's medication at the start of the week and then count it at the end of the week. Make sure that the count at the end of the week indicates that your parents are taking the right amount of medication every day. If your parents are taking too much medication, or skipping out on doses, they may need a little assistance taking their medication every day. A home health aide can come by and help administer your parent's medication to them on a daily basis.
#4 Cleanliness Of Their House
Finally, look at your parent's house and how clean and in order it is in. If your parent's house has gone from being a relatively clean place to a disorganized place, they may need assistance taking care of their home. A home health aide or even a cleaning service could provide your parents with the assistance they need to keep their house as clean as they kept it in the future.
