If you’ve recently noticed your parents’ health needs changing or rising, you may wonder whether living alone is the best option for them. The thought of professional care can be daunting for some older adults, especially if they’ve lived in their home for many years.
The good news is that many people can continue living independently at home for longer than they think. Home care offers professional support in the comfort of their home, honouring independence, routines and dignity.
Does My Elderly Parent Need Extra Support?
It’s not always easy to notice the signs that a parent needs extra care. Many older adults don’t want to burden their families with how they really feel or what they’re struggling with, so they’ll keep it bottled up. They may also worry that discussing professional care will lead to them losing their independence.
However, certain indicators may signal that your parents need additional support in their day-to-day lives. Keep an eye out for these subtle changes:
Changes in Daily Activities and Routines
Keep an eye on your parents’ ability to continue living life the way they normally enjoy. Notice how they perform routine tasks, such as getting dressed or cooking for themselves. They may struggle to stand for long periods in the kitchen or walk up and down stairs.
You may notice subtle changes in their home, too. They might not be able to keep up with regular cleaning routines or pet care. You might find yourself offering to step in more often, even if your parents won’t accept your help.
Forgetting Medication Frequently
If your parents are prescribed medication for certain conditions, it’s vital that they continue taking it correctly. We recommend providing a pill organiser to help you keep track of their medication and whether any doses have been missed.
If you regularly notice that your parent is skipping medication doses or taking them at the wrong time may be an indication that they require assistance. Visiting carers can come to the house once or twice a day to ensure medication is taken correctly without imposing on your parent’s independence or routine.
Social Withdrawal
A decline in social outings and activities might be a subtle sign that your parent is struggling and requires extra support. They may withdraw from social interactions due to feeling inadequate or embarrassed about their changing circumstances and abilities. Instead of talking to someone about their concerns, they bottle it up and withdraw from loved ones.
Social isolation can lead to a number of worrying conditions, such as frailty, increased danger of falling or low mental wellbeing. Regular visits from a carer can offer companionship and support for emotional wellbeing, reducing negative feelings and improving quality of life.
Memory Loss or Confusion
Changes in memory, forgetfulness and confusion can all be signs that a parent is ageing and may need extra assistance. You might notice them having difficulty matching names to faces, recalling important dates they should know, or recognising locations.
If you’re concerned about your parent’s memory or cognitive functioning, make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. These may be simple symptoms of getting older, but they may also be early signs of conditions such as dementia.
Changes in Personal Hygiene or Care
You may notice your parents start neglecting their personal hygiene or grooming routine. This may include infrequent bathing or an unkempt appearance. They may stop brushing their teeth or washing their hair.
There are several reasons an elderly person might stop caring for their personal hygiene. These may include health conditions, mobility difficulties and mental health issues. Simple effects of ageing can make it harder to keep up, and you should never shame your loved one.
Mood Swings
Your parents might begin exhibiting strange behaviour changes as they get older, which may be a sign that they require around-the-clock care. Unexplained mood shifts might include noticeable irritability, sadness, or anxiety.
These mood swings might be due to a number of things, such as pain, mental well-being or cognitive decline. It’s important to have open conversations with your parents if you notice them acting out of character. If they refuse help but symptoms persist, consult their GP. Your parents may need help, but don’t want to admit it to a family member.
Mobility or Physical Limitations
Notable physical and mobility changes can indicate that your parent requires extra support at home. They may not be able to move around the house as freely as they once could, or have trouble climbing stairs or getting in and out of bed.
These limitations can make it difficult to complete daily activities and may even put your parents at a higher risk of falling and injuring themselves. A carer can help with steadying and support in and out of the home, without impacting their independence.
Health Concerns
As parents age, they may become more susceptible to certain health concerns. They may require additional attention and monitoring to ensure symptoms don’t worsen. Visiting or live-in care might be the best way to ensure your parents are regularly monitored and supported without interfering with their ability to live the way they want.
How Can You Help Your Parents Continue Living at Home?
It’s not uncommon for ageing parents to want to remain in the comfort of home, even as their care needs change. There are several ways you can support them in staying at home rather than having to move into a residential care home, such as:
Step 1: Assess Your Parent’s Needs
The first step is to spend a few hours or days assessing your parents’ current abilities and limitations. Do they need comprehensive, round-the-clock care, or do they only need a few visits from a professional each week?
Consider their needs, personality and level of independence. People who thrive on social interaction or need help with personal grooming might need live-in care. Others who only need help with bigger tasks, such as the weekly food shop, prefer visiting care services.
Step 2: Have Open Conversations About Their Wants and Wishes
The best way to keep your parents on board with future care plans is to keep them in the loop. Open conversations help you get a sense of what they’re thinking, their wishes, and how they want to be cared for. You can use this to create a personalised care plan to share with their team.
It’s not uncommon for parents to feel uncomfortable talking about ageing with their children, but fostering open communication is essential for making the best decisions for everyone. Sit down in a calm environment and talk candidly with them about how they want to proceed, rather than telling them what you think is best for them.
Learn more in our guide to holding a family meeting to agree on elderly parents’ care.
Step 3: Create a Safe Living Environment
Many parents want to live at home for as long as they can as they age, but their homes often aren’t set up with their needs in mind. Consider modifying the home to make it safer and more comfortable for them, such as installing grab bars and setting up a bed downstairs.
You could ask for professional support from an occupational therapist, who can carry out a care needs assessment to advise on what modifications are needed around the home. To learn more, read our guide on home adaptations for the elderly.
Step 4: Encourage and Honour Independence
One of the most common concerns for ageing people is losing their independence. Home care can help preserve this and maintain dignity, but you can also help by involving them in the decision-making process and respecting their wishes.
Consider if they’ll respond well to stimulating physical and mental activities to boost independence. These activities can promote a positive mindset and establish a strong sense of purpose.
Step 5: Establish a Dependable Support Network
The more people you and your loved one have around you, the less pressure you’ll feel as care needs change and evolve. Your network can provide practical support and assistance whenever needed, such as running errands and providing emotional companionship.
Step 6: Create an Emergency Plan
If you’re concerned about your loved one living alone as they get older, create an emergency plan that can be triggered whenever necessary. Include plans for common scenarios, such as if they fall or suddenly feel faint, along with contact numbers for whom to call first and important medical information that might be useful to medical professionals.
Keep the plan in a safe place and make multiple copies for relevant people to keep with them. Make sure your parents know where it is so they can give it to paramedics or if needed.
How Trinity Homecare Can Help
At Trinity Homecare, we offer personalised care and support from the comfort of your parents’ home. With visiting care, a carer will visit your parents on a scheduled basis depending on their needs. They may start with one visit a week and increase the frequency as care needs evolve.
If your loved one requires more comprehensive support, live-in care may be the best option. A Trinity carer will move into your parents’ home to provide daily support with routines, household chores, companionship and mobility.
We’ll work with you to create the perfect tailored care plan that meets your parents’ needs and honours their wishes.
Talk to us today
At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of live-in care.
Call us now on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.
