Living at home as a senior can be a challenge, as the strong desire to remain independent is often in tension with uncertainty about seeking extra help.
If you are helping care for a senior living at home, be that a family member or friend, you might be asking yourself, “When is it time for home nursing?”. And while every older adult has a different set of circumstances, there are several signs that tell you when specialist home nurse care for seniors will help your loved one to live independently and healthily.
In this article, you will learn about nursing care for seniors at home and ways to recognise when it might be the right time to implement a structured, compassionate home care plan.
How Do You Know When Older People Require In-Home Nursing Care?
When caring for an ageing loved one who lives alone, it can be an emotional balancing act. On the one hand, you (and they) want to retain a strong sense of independence to help keep spirits high. At the same time, there’s also the concern of accidents occurring both at home and when out and about – and yet going overboard with preventative measures can lead to a feeling of restriction.
It can be a tricky discussion to have with ageing parents or friends about getting them specialist nursing care at home – not to mention knowing when it’s the ‘right time’ to do so. However, having a degree of in-home nursing care often becomes crucial to their health and wellbeing as they progress through their later years, and knowing what to look out for helps you call for support precisely when it’s needed.
So, what signs should you be looking for when considering in-home aged care support for an older adult?
What Signs Tell You an Older Adult Needs In-Home Nursing?
1. Is the house looking messy and unloved?
You may have noticed it on your previous visits, and yet it keeps recurring time and again: the house is losing its once neat appearance. Of course, household chores can be tiring for the young and able-bodied, but they become even more physically and mentally draining as we age. If the house is looking continuously disorganised, it could be a sign the older person living there can no longer manage the cleaning due to ill health or deterioration of mobility and function.
2. Does the fridge look empty or full of food that’s past its best?
Walking or driving to the shops is a must-do for older people; some even consider it less of a chore and more of a matter of pride. That is, until the walk or drive gets too much to handle! When the fridge or pantry appears constantly low on stock, or food sits there for days and weeks past the expiry dates, these are tell-tale signs of physical weakness and/or declining mental wellness – and you might need to seek some additional help.
3. Is their car incurring new dents, scratches and infringements?
If your older-aged loved one is still driving a car, take a closer look at the vehicle. Have you noticed any dents or scratches lately? How about driving infringements – are there parking or traffic fines suddenly appearing through the mail? If your loved one has always maintained a clean driving record, those dents, scratches and fines could be indicating a deeper problem. Ill health or weakness could be a hindrance and potential hazard when behind the wheel – and, given how it affects the personal safety of everyone, it could be time to speak with a GP about driving restrictions and some further support at home.
4. Does your senior loved one appear physically different?
Regardless of age, most people want to look good and take some pride in their appearance. Certainly, when this is the case and it changes abruptly, it can be a cue that things are not quite right with your loved one. Arranging a discussion with their GP is a good place to start – it could be as simple as having someone visit them at home regularly and help them to look after themselves.
5. What is their personal hygiene like?
A change in personal hygiene often falls in line with a diminishing physical appearance. It might be because they are no longer capable of managing themselves – or they are completely unaware of their lack of personal hygiene altogether. Either way, it can indicate that some help at home or aged care assistance would be of benefit.
6. Is your senior loved one growing forgetful?
Memory loss and dementia are increasingly common in older adults, with the severity levels varying from one person to the next. When a loved one skips his or her medication or can’t remember where their car keys are, living on their own becomes a risk to themselves and to others. Having home care assistance or an in-home nurse visiting them regularly can ensure they take their medication and remain safe.
7. Has your older-aged loved one become prone to falls?
The risk of falls is higher in older adults than in any other age groups. Despite the growth in walking aids designed to help keep them steady, they can still pose a challenge – particularly when it comes to negotiating steps or tight corners. When living alone, the risks of falls and subsequent injuries only get worse. Having a home health nurse helps to address any injuries quickly and prevent future mishaps.
8. Is there a sudden change to your loved one’s weight?
Rapid weight loss or gain is never a good sign, regardless of age. But when one or the other occurs in an older adult, it’s a major cause for concern. Poor appetite can be a sign of illness, or they might simply be forgetting to eat. Home care assistance can help bring routine to mealtimes and ensure older adults are keeping their diet in check and maintaining a healthy routine.
9. Is your senior becoming lonely or isolated?
When an older person’s network starts to shrink, loneliness can easily set in. This feeling of isolation can be harmful and is linked to a variety of conditions, such as heart disease, depression, anxiety, and a weakened immune system. If your loved one is suddenly withdrawing from social activity and no longer seeing friends, something might be amiss. Linking your loved one to a local seniors group might help curb any loneliness and isolation.
10. Are you seeing unopened mail around the house?
Older adults belong to the slow mail generation – so much so, they rarely leave letters unopened (it’s the equivalent of a younger person ignoring his or her social media notifications!). If their mail is building up and not being opened and read, this could be a sign they need in-home nursing to help keep them on top of their affairs.
Now You Know It’s Time for In-Home Care – What Happens Next?
Caring for an older loved one can be difficult, but specialist in-home nursing support for seniors can make it easier – for your loved one and you. When they develop any combination of the above signs, it could be time to consider ongoing home care assistance.
If you would like to learn more about the types of help available or how to find the right in-home care to suit your loved one’s circumstances, contact the team at Vital Home Health Services.
