It’s not something that many people want to consider. The idea that one day, their elderly parent or relative may no longer be able to look after themselves. As older people can be a bit stubborn (and we definitely mean that in a loving way!) and may feel ashamed about asking for help, it is important for family to be able to identify when additional help like home care may be needed.
At StellarCare NW, we know that it can be hard to spot when someone may be struggling to take care of themselves. Which is why our expert team is here to walk you through some of the core signs that it may be time to call in home-help care:
1. Increased Difficulties
It’s a common phrase that is thrown around a lot when it comes to care situations, but what does it actually mean?
Well, when to get home care will vary based on the person, but if there are issues in the following areas, then you may need to consider professional help:
- Challenges with Dressing: According to an article by Express and the NHS’s ‘Health Survey for England’, if you notice that your loved one is taking longer to get dressed in the morning or shows signs of mobility problems when putting clothes on, then this can point to additional help being needed.
- Problems Preparing Meals: Many older people may struggle with conditions like arthritis, which can make it harder for them to cut and prepare fresh food. If you spot that your loved one is relying on microwave meals regularly, due to mobility or cognitive decline, then this will require assistance.
- Issues With Household Upkeep: A sudden decline in the tidiness of the home, such as unwashed laundry, a build-up of clutter, or difficulty caring for a beloved pet, is often a key indicator that your loved one is becoming physically unsteady or fatigued. While our primary focus at StellarCare NW is always your loved one’s health and personal care, we provide targeted, light domestic support as part of our holistic approach. We step in to handle the physically demanding tasks that may now pose a fall risk, ensuring their environment remains safe, hygienic and comfortable. Hence, ensuring your loved one can maintain their dignity and independence without putting themselves at risk.
*For round-the-clock peace of mind: If assistance is needed on a more permanent basis, StellarCare NW also offers dedicated Live-In Care. This encompasses comprehensive 24/7 support across all the areas mentioned above. From personal care and washing to meal preparation and maintaining a safe home environment, our care plan is tailored entirely to your loved one’s evolving needs.
2. Concerns Around Safety
There are multiple aids and devices that can help your older loved one to stay in their home without stressing their mobility. And adapting the home with aids like stair lifts, walk-in showers, and raised toilets is a great first step in doing so. However, if they have had frequent falls in their home (or have had an increase in the number of falls), then it’s clear that technology cannot replace the physical safety and emotional reassurance of having a trained carer present.
To us, providing care is about much more than just ticking off clinical tasks or administering medication. At StellarCare NW, it is about helping people feel genuinely secure and happy in their own homes.
This is why we are incredibly proud to have provided this level of reassurance to couples like Mary and Tony Tait, who you can listen to about their experience with our nurse-led team here.
3. Isolation and Loneliness
Loneliness is a complex emotion, and surprisingly, it can affect older adults even when they share a lively home with their family. This is incredibly common and certainly not a reflection of an unpaid carer’s care.
As mobility declines or cognitive hurdles make getting out and about more challenging, their independent social life often takes a hit. So even though it seems simple, having one of our friendly and compassionate carers visit them during the day can do so much more than just us tending to physical needs.
Rather, they bring a fresh face, warm conversation and a comforting routine. Thus, offering a sense of companionship, as well as providing structure that can reduce feelings of isolation.
4. Cognitive Problems
“Cognitive problems” is a broad term used by medical professionals, but for families, it is about knowing what to look for in everyday life. Although it may encompass a wide range of conditions, here’s what they can look like:
- Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life: We all occasionally forget a name or an appointment. However, cognitive decline goes beyond normal ageing. It often looks like forgetting recent conversations entirely, repeatedly asking the same questions within a short timeframe, or suddenly getting confused in familiar environments, such as the local supermarket.
- Difficulties with Finances and Executive Function: This is about much more than accidentally missing a bill. A decline in cognitive health heavily impacts a person’s ability to process numbers and follow multi-step tasks. So you may notice them paying the same bill multiple times, hoarding unopened post, struggling to manage a budget they’ve handled for decades, or suddenly becoming vulnerable to scams.
- Uncharacteristic Behavioural or Mood Changes: Experiencing cognitive decline can be incredibly frightening and frustrating for the individual. This internal struggle often manifests outwardly as sudden mood swings, heightened anxiety or uncharacteristic anger. With that in mind, you might also notice them withdrawing from hobbies or social events, simply because trying to follow conversations and mask their confusion has become too exhausting.
5. Worsening Hygiene
A decline in personal hygiene is a highly sensitive issue that can make an older individual feel incredibly vulnerable. Thus, making it a very delicate topic for families to broach. If left unaddressed, poor hygiene can quickly lead to painful secondary complications, including recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs), severe skin irritations and even respiratory issues.
Which is why at StellarCare NW, our nurse-led team is highly experienced in supporting individuals with their personal care in a way that entirely protects their dignity.
We can step in to make bathing and dressing safe and comfortable again. However, because a sudden drop in self-care can sometimes indicate an underlying medical issue, such as a hidden infection, a deep anxiety of falling in the bathroom, or cognitive decline, we always strongly recommend consulting your loved one’s GP for a comprehensive assessment alongside our support.
Taking the Next Step Together
We know that reaching out for home care is a significant decision, and simply asking for help is often the hardest part of the journey. So please know that you do not need to have all the answers right now.
Whether you are ready to arrange support immediately or you simply want to talk through what your options might look like, we are here for a friendly, confidential, and completely free, no-obligation initial chat.
Let us help carry the load, so you can go back to simply being family.