People are naturally social and loneliness can be heartbreaking and devastating. It’s even been shown that isolation can decrease a person’s lifespan.

If you have a busy schedule like most people do, it’s probably become a common scenario for your parent to spend a lot of time alone. It’s not ideal.

But many seniors won’t leave the comfort of their homes to go to an elderly care center. In-home care is an excellent solution which is becoming more and more popular.

Your loved one can enjoy the familiarity of their surroundings while receiving needed special care.

Also, this is a great alternative for those who are not able to afford to live in a specialized facility.

In-home care is more affordable for families who want to make sure their elderly loved ones receive the care they need.

Here are the dangers you avoid by getting home care for seniors.

1. Risk of Accidents around the House

It is difficult for patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s to get around. They have moments of confusion which often lead to accidents.

To recognize if your loved one requires in-home care, ask yourself the following:

• Do they need help eating? 
• What about bathing and going to the bathroom?
• Do they find it difficult to get dressed?
• Does your home contain safety hazards? Slippery tiles and loose carpets can be dangerous.
• Do they have poor eyesight?

All of these factors contribute to the risk of accidents, injury or even death.

You wouldn’t want to come home from work one evening and see your mother or father in pain because they slipped in the bathroom, accidentally burned themselves making lunch, or some other accident.

If you think your parent might require daily assistance, it’s time to take action now.

2. Not Keeping Up with Medication

Another common challenge is medication management.  A doctor or other health provider might think of this as medication compliance.

Many seniors take five, ten, fifteen, or more pills per day.  It’s a challenge for anyone to keep up with it all.  You notice doses are skipped and then taken a double strength that evening when the medication is remembered.  Often seniors are reluctant to discard old, expired medications.  You might also find a large number of over-the-counter drugs in the bathroom.

If they suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia, your parents are at a higher risk of not taking their medication when they should.

At some point, it’s no longer enough to just rely on your parents to keep up with all their medications. They might be too proud to ask for help, but they need it.

Their mental state might also make them forget their doctor’s appointments. This could have dire consequences if they’re undergoing any serious treatment.

A home care aide can help with reminders to make sure medications are taken on time and keep an eye on the medicine cabinet.  The agency’s supervising nurses are great resources who can look at the medication lists and give suggestions to make sure the process  is simpler.

If you are not at home most of the day, get the help of an in-home care specialist who can manage all of the above.

Improve Your Parent’s Daily Life with In-Home Care

A caregiver can prevent accidents and help seniors keep up with their medical treatments. What about daily life activities?

If your parent lives alone, he or she will need to do daily chores all by themselves. Not to mention paying the bills on time and other activities that have a deadline.

As we’ve seen up until now, the elderly can require assistance and need reminders to complete essential tasks.

Don’t wait until the last moment to decide. Contact us today and you can get a qualified professional to take care of your seniors’ needs.