When your loved one needs extra care, it’s important to know when and how to ensure they get it. Most people consider putting their ageing parents in a care home if they cannot live independently, but there are other indicators. Read this guide on when you should put someone in a care home so that you can make an informed decision before reaching out for home care services.
Frequent Falls/Accidents
One of the most common reasons older people are put into care homes is frequent falls and accidents. If your parents have fallen multiple times in the last year, it’s not a good idea for them to live on their own anymore. That can cause permanent injuries or even death if it continues. The accidents can be as simple as tripping over themselves or getting burned in the kitchen if they don’t have the appropriate equipment to cook safely.
Forgetfulness About Serious Things
A common sign of Alzheimer’s is someone who forgets friends or other people they know. That can signify that the person’s mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be, so it needs extra care. The extent of memory loss varies depending on the person’s age. You will know if your parents have Alzheimer’s because they will be exhibiting some of the signs of dementia at the same time.
Trouble Moving Around the House
Another reason to consider a care home is if your parent or loved one has trouble moving around the house. It can be hard for them to get in and out of chairs or other furniture, which can be dangerous if they fall. The person might also start knocking on things or getting knocked over themselves. You should move the person if they’re not 100% safe on their own.
Inability to Keep Up With Chores
When someone has trouble remembering simple things like where they put important documents or items, it’s a sign that they start to lose their memory. If this continues, it could be a sign that their mind is beginning to slip away. The person may forget they must go to the grocery store or do laundry. It could lead to a major slip of memory when the person tries to do these things. The result would be them getting hurt or forgetting to eat if they don’t have someone around to help.
Not Eating Properly
If your loved one is not eating well, it could signify something more serious. It’s usually not just a matter of fussy eating habits. The person may become too weak to cook or prepare meals or have trouble chewing food because of tooth pain and other issues. The best thing to do is to have the person taken to a doctor. They will also want to check their blood levels, too. The doctor can also confirm that the person is medically fit to live independently.
Fear of Living Alone
Another sign of needing a care home is if your loved one doesn’t want to live alone anymore. If you’re living with your parents and they constantly ask to go back in with you, it could be a sign that they need more care than you can provide in your home. The same is true if your child says they don’t want to continue living with their parents.
Depression & Other Issues
It may seem like depression would be an obvious sign of needing more care, but it’s more complicated than that. Many times it’s not just one emotion causing depression. It could be that they are struggling with both depression and Alzheimer’s disease. The various emotions may be stirring more than just one cause.
The above tips should help you decide when it would be best for your loved one to move into a care home. Remember that this type of facility has many different levels of care because other people need different services and therapies. Overall, if you think your loved one needs more care than you can provide at home, it’s important to know when and where to look so they can get the treatment they need. Hopefully, this gave you proper insight to make the right judgement call for a loved one.