At some stage it may become necessary for your senior to have some extra help from in-home care providers. That might be an idea that she resists, though, for a variety of reasons. What’s really important is to be able to recognize as her family caregiver when your senior does need more help.

Pay Attention to Mobility Issues

If you’ve never done it before, you really do need to watch your senior walk. This can tell you a great deal about how she’s doing and what might be going on with her. If she’s started to shuffle when she walks, there can be a variety of reasons for this, including fear of falling, pain, or injuries that you don’t know about yet. Also, if you’re not getting to see your senior stand up and walk around any time you visit her, that in itself is a big sign.

Share a Meal Together

When did you last eat with your senior? It might be a good time to do so. There are issues that can crop up during meals that can let you know that there’s more going on behind the scenes. Does your senior avoid eating with you? She may have trouble chewing or swallowing food. Or she may be avoiding eating for other reasons. It’s important to understand what your senior is eating so that you can address any nutritional deficiencies.

Look Around Her Home

You don’t have to open up all of your senior’s cabinets and closets but do look around her home. Are there items piled up? Can you tell that it’s getting more difficult for her to keep up with household tasks? If so, that can be a big sign that your elderly family member needs just a little extra help managing those details.

Don’t Forget Her Overall Appearance

Your senior’s appearance can change so gradually over time that it’s not always easy to spot differences. But it can also change literally overnight, depending on how challenging she’s starting to find some parts of her life. Pay close attention to your elderly family member’s general appearance. Is she dressing differently? Seeming to bathe less often? Or has her weight changed? These are all things to pay attention to.

Time to Bring in In-Home Care Support

Bringing in in-home care providers to take over some tasks for your senior isn’t a sign that you or she have failed in any way. It’s merely a way for your elderly family member to continue to have what she needs, when she needs it.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering In-Home Care Services in Arlington VA please contact the caring staff at Apex Classic Home Health Care today. (571) 275-9547

• Author
• Recent Posts

Susana Sekyi

Owner at Apex Classic Home Health Care

We were inspired to open Apex Classic Home Health Care by the wealth of experience working in the nursing and medical fields. We have seen, first-hand, the type of care people need to maintain their health and hope. We use our knowledge and experience to provide all our clients the type of services, guardianship, and comfort they need to live at home. We are expert caregivers, stress relievers, and the trusted source for medical attention and hope that exists in the comfort of our clients’ homes. We work from an overarching philosophy of trust and compassion and strive to be THE premier source for in-home care in our community, and beyond.​

Latest posts by Susana Sekyi (see all)

• In-Home Care: Fall Prevention Starts with Decluttering Solutions - February 17, 2022
• Elder Care: The Benefits of Grapefruit for Seniors - February 4, 2022
• Home Health Care: What to Expect After Your Mom’s Gallbladder Removal - January 20, 2022