Some people may not know it is time to hire a homecare professional/caregiver until it is too late. Often the signs are present, but due to the inability to identify these signs, people cannot make a proactive decision to hire a home care professional. Most times, it is not until something terrible happens to a loved one that people realize they need professional in-home care. We have put together these signs you can/should be aware of.
- FAMILY CAREGIVER FATIGUE / STRESS
Caring for a loved one may be challenging and taxing. Many family caregivers often suffer from stress and fatigue as it can be hard to do it alone. Knowing when to hire a home care professional can avoid caregiver burnout and stress. Once you recognize that you or another family caregiver is experiencing stress from caring for your loved one, it is imperative to consider hiring a homecare professional immediately.
Often you get so caught up in taking care of your loved one that you forget to take care of yourself. Hiring a home care professional will help you maintain stress levels and make more time for yourself. It is not selfish to want to do this, as one cannot care for someone else before taking care of themselves.
- CHANGE IN HOME ENVIRONMENT
This is a significant sign that is also often overlooked. If you notice a decline in your loved one’s home environment, it may be time to consider hiring a home care professional. Seeing unusual or unsanitary home environments may indicate that your loved one is no longer physically able to do chores in their home; therefore, a homecare professional would be necessary.
- CHANGE IN PERSONAL HYGIENE
Once you notice a decline/ lack in your loved one’s hygiene, it may be time to consider hiring a caregiver or homecare professional. This may be a sign that they are no longer physically able to care for themselves and their personal needs.
- WEIGHTLOSS / CHANGE IN DIET
After a certain age, our loved ones may not be able to cook, or it may be a case where they cannot get the proper nutrients they need. If you notice a sudden change in your loved one’s weight, this may indicate something is wrong. Hiring a home care professional or caregiver for your loved one will ensure they get in enough calories and maintain a balanced diet.
- DIFFICULTY WHEN TAKING MEDICATIONS
Often, our loved ones (especially seniors) have to take numerous medications, which can be hard to balance. If you notice that your loved one is struggling in this area, it may be time to consider a home care professional or a caregiver. A caregiver can record the medication your loved one should take and ensure that these medications are administered at the correct time.
If you notice any of these five signs, you should contact us, and we will guide you in making that next step for your loved one.