Warning Signs Your Elderly Parent In Winnipeg Needs Home Care Support
Every person's relationship to their parents is unique. For many people, the experience of watching a parent age is nuanced; joys and pains are both present. As time goes on, we may see our parents become unable to do the things they used to; this experience can be painful. Fortunately, there is support.
Here are some of the signs that your parent(s) may benefit from home care:
Physical Changes And Hygiene Red Flags
Unexplained Weight Loss & Changes In Appetite
Changes in appetite are common in older adults; unfortunately, reduced appetite can lead to weight loss and poor nutrition, both of which can result in negative health consequences. Changes in appetite and weight loss can occur because of a number of factors:
- Your parent(s) may find it difficult to cook for themselves
- Medications may lower appetite
- Digestion often slows as we age
- Dental problems can make eating less pleasant
- Forgetfulness can lead to skipped meals
- Illnesses may reduce appetite
- Gastrointestinal problems can make eating less pleasant
Home care can make it easier for your parent(s) to eat; support workers can prepare healthy, delicious meals that can help your parent(s) maintain a healthy weight and proper nutrition.
Decline In Personal Grooming & Hygiene
As with eating, grooming and personal hygiene can become more difficult as we age. Older adults may be reluctant to shower or bathe for fear of injuring themselves; they may also find it challenging to clean themselves properly due to impaired mobility or pain. Senses may also be dulled, making it more difficult for your parent to see or smell hygiene problems.
When you work with Right at Home for private home care in Winnipeg, our support workers can help with bathing, shaving, and other grooming activities.
Unexplained Bruises Or Mobility Issues
Mobility issues can be among the most difficult problems that come with aging. Older adults may find it challenging to navigate through their own homes, complete errands, or even enjoy walks outside. These mobility issues may be accompanied by unexplained bruises.
Professional caregivers can assist with mobility issues by helping older adults get up and down stairs, use assistive devices, and complete errands. They can also watch for bumps and bruises, helping you identify which ones were caused by collisions, and which may be signs of other health issues.
The State Of The Home: Environmental Indicators
Piles Of Unopened Mail & Unpaid Bills
Unopened mail and unpaid bills can be early warning signs of cognitive decline and diseases like Alzheimer's or dementia - but those are not the only things that can make older adults forget to pay their bills.
As we age, we tend to fall into routines; when changes occur that would alter those routines, we may not notice as quickly or adapt as easily. When bills are missed, stress and guilt can lead to avoidance - and avoidance may mean unopened mail.
Our personal care services in Winnipeg can help ensure that bills are paid on time.
Extreme Clutter Or Hoarding Tendencies
Older adults can be more prone to hoarding, keeping items that remind them of people who have died or times in their lives that have passed. Retirement and the loss of loved ones are both triggers for hoarding; hoarding tends to bring clutter.
Support workers can help your parent keep their space tidy, especially if cleanliness is limited because of mobility issues, pain, or forgetfulness.
Neglected Home Maintenance
There are so many reasons home maintenance can be neglected: Dulled senses, impaired mobility, pain, forgetfulness, and lack of energy can all lead to cleanliness, repairs, and other home maintenance tasks being abandoned.
Support workers can help note which home maintenance tasks need to be addressed, and how big a priority they are.
Cognitive And Behavioural Shifts
Forgetfulness Vs. Cognitive Decline
Geriatric mental health is complex. Forgetfulness is a normal part of aging; according to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, almost 40% of people will experience some form of memory loss at some point after turning 65. This memory loss can be a source of discomfort for older adults and their children, but it does not mean more serious cognitive decline is on its way.
When forgetfulness starts to impair our daily lives, it can be qualified as cognitive impairment or dementia, depending on the severity. Some forgetfulness is normal; forgetting recent conversations frequently or forgetting the names of close family members is not.
Noticing a serious cognitive decline in your parent(s) can be very painful. Our specialized dementia care support can help ease the burden.
Social Withdrawal & Isolation
As we age, our opportunities to socialize can narrow. Some of the people we love may move away; others die. Finding time to socialize can be difficult, and mobility issues can make it even harder to connect with the people we care about. This can lead to social withdrawal.
Humans are social; we need connection to be healthy. Our caregivers offer a companion care service; beyond helping with transportation, meal preparation, and housekeeping, they want to be friends with their clients, playing games, reading, and walking together.
Safety On The Road: Driving Concerns
More frequent accidents, getting lost en route to family events, and slower or more error-prone driving are all common with age.
Your parent(s) may feel comfortable driving through the suburbs, but not comfortable driving in heavier traffic. Driving through Southdale can be fairly low-stress; driving on the Perimeter or down Portage in rush hour traffic is not.
Our trained caregivers can drive your parent(s) to and from errands, appointments, and social events.
Caregiver Burnout: Signs You Need Support
Family caregivers are not typically trained to care for their elderly parents; the need to provide care for them while managing your own life and work can be stressful. There are several signs of caregiver burnout, from feeling angry toward your parent(s) to feeling that you do not have enough time in your day.
You can use the Zarit Burden Interview (the term used in this scale is caregiver burden, which is the same as caregiver burnout) to help determine how severe your burnout is. Whatever you score on the scale, know that the team at Right at Home is here to support you with respite care.
Benefits Of Home Care In Winnipeg Vs. Assisted Living
Independence
Living at home helps older adults maintain their independence. Our homes are places we know well, infused with memory and comfort. Outside of our homes, we find community. Connection plays an important role in our sense of identity, and knowing that our community members are here to help can foster a sense of independence.
Home care allows older adults to continue to live in their homes and in the community with others, helping them maintain their identities.
Customization
With home care, all of your parents' personal care services can be completely customized. Some older adults just need company, help with cooking, and medication reminders. Other older adults may need mobility assistance and help with virtually all daily tasks, and even in-home nursing care. Whatever your parent(s) need(s), Right at Home can provide.
Cost-Effectiveness
Our personalized care plans mean that your parent(s) will get all the assistance they need - and none of the assistance that they don't. This makes our plans cost-effective; you are never paying for services you do not want. We partner with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's Self & Family Managed Care program to help finance home care for people who qualify.
How To Start The Conversation About Home Care
Conversations about home care are rarely easy - but they are important. Here are a few tips on starting the conversation:
- Don't use metaphors. Tell your parent(s) that you think home care would be beneficial for them; tell them why you think it would be a good idea.
- Don't argue with them. If they say, "I don't want to talk about this," tell them you understand; ask them if they would be open to the conversation in the future.
- Don't insist; they want to maintain their independence and normalcy, and that is understandable.
- Don't do it alone. Talk to them with another loved one they trust, like a sibling or their spouse.
- Do tell them about the benefits. Home care can help them maintain their independence in ways that may not be possible with assisted living; it's also customizable.
- Do be open and honest. You can imagine the discomfort the conversation may put on your parent(s); you're probably feeling discomfort yourself. Tell them how you're feeling. Encourage them to do the same.
Worried About Mom Or Dad? Don't Wait For A Crisis
You've already taken the right step by reading this; researching your options and understanding your goals will help get the best results for your parent(s). Don't wait for a crisis to talk to them about home care; help support them in independent living with Right at Home.
