Have you noticed a senior loved one’s home is unkept or other worrying signs?

Seniors are often reluctant to admit they need help. It’s likely if you see minor signs, other issues are growing. Don’t wait to have the conversation! Adult children can introduce home health care to their parents with light tasks like housekeeping and grocery shopping. As trust between senior and the agency grows, it is easier for the family to scale services. 

Signs your parent needs home health care:

  • Noticeable decline in the tidiness of the home
  • Scratches or dents on vehicles
  • Missing important appointments
  • Stacks of unopened mail or an overflowing mailbox
  • Poor diet or weight loss
  • Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away
  • Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
  • Late payment notices, bounced checks, and calls from bill collectors
  • Dirty laundry piling up
  • Noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care

Why seniors are afraid to ask for help:

  • Fear of losing their independence 
  • Desire to not be a burden
  • Lack of trust
  • Fear of giving up control

How to ease into home health care:

  • Start with clean-up, grocery shopping, laundry, and other basic tasks they are happy to hand over
  • Ease into medbox refills to prevent medication mixups
  • Warm up to changing and personal hygiene as they build trust with the agency team 

How to change the conversation:

  • Reframe independence. Help will make more possible in their everyday life.
  • Discuss the benefits. Home health care offers trusted, screened, and professional support.
  • Overcome the initial ask! The longer you wait, the more needs start to pile up. 

The burden of recognizing when a senior needs help often falls on family members. When a senior has trouble performing regular tasks, it is not necessarily an indication that they need assisted living or a nursing home. Home health care allows the family to ease into support and allows seniors to thrive from home!

Choosing long-term care is a burden that often falls to adult children and family caregivers. Our team is here to support you throughout the journey. Download our booklet to explore options that are right for your aging loved one and family. Download the booklet here.