As we get older and our bodies change, there is nothing wrong with reaching out for help to overcome daily challenges. Given that most people would prefer to retain their independence, home health care services in Australia are often viewed as the preferred choice over nursing homes.
However, many individuals who would benefit from a dedicated home health care package will not admit that they need help. So, it is up to loved ones to recognise the situation. Here are eight times when home health care becomes essential for their ongoing wellness.
1. The demands are too much for primary caregivers
It isn’t only the person directly affected by the affiliations that must be taken into account. When a person shows signs of cognitive decline or reduced capabilities to lead an independent life, it takes a toll on spouses and siblings or children.
An estimated 1 in 9 Australians cares for a loved one. If you are a primary caregiver, it’s great that you want to support someone through daily life. However, it’s important to take care of yourself and embrace personal responsibilities.
If you need a little help with certain aspects of providing home health care, experts can step in to ensure that your loved one receives support even when you’re not available to give it.
2. Their personal hygiene has slipped
Home health care is designed to help patients stay independent by providing assistance with the daily challenges that can no longer be completed. Personal hygiene is often one of the first things to be lost. This could be due to forgetfulness or restricted movement.
Poor personal hygiene may manifest itself in many ways. Common examples include unkempt and unwashed hair, dirty clothes, a foul odour, and unclean or unmatched clothes. It’s not always a call for help but is something that needs investigating.
Seeking support with personal hygiene may be daunting at first. It won’t be long, however, before it helps restore your loved one’s appearance and sense of self-pride.
3. Nutrition and medications get overlooked
Overlooking personal hygiene is a major problem, but ignoring or forgetting daily nutrition and medications can bring even greater consequences. It may be that cognitive decline prevents your loved one from visiting the shops or preparing meals.
Alternatively, cognitive decline may have impacted the part of the brain that controls appetite and eating. Without the right nutrition, your loved one’s physical and emotional wellness will witness a dramatic decline. Meanwhile, not getting the right medication for ongoing health complaints will severely hinder their quality of life.
If you are genuinely concerned about your loved one’s eating habits or sudden weight loss, now is the time to intervene with professional home health care services.
4. The home has become unclean and unsafe
Elderly loved ones who wish to retain their independence by living at home will spend a lot of time inside their property. So, if it has become unsuitable for them due to a lack of proper care, a solution must be found.
Home health care can extend to daily or weekly household chores. This ensures that the property remains safe from safety hazards, void of bad odours, and free from piles of dirty clothes or dishes that could quickly build up.
Professional home health carers can also discuss potential property modifications that primary care providers may not have known about.
5. Forgetfulness has put them at risk
Memory loss is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of dementia. However, forgetfulness and general memory loss are frequently experienced by other patients who need aged care support despite not having dementia.
Danger caused by memory loss or forgetfulness can manifest as not taking medications. Alternatively, it could mean leaving the door open or opening it to strangers. Even letting loved ones in is a cause for concern if they can’t remember you.
Forgetfulness may also open the door to other dangerous situations, such as leaving the gas cooker on overnight. Frankly, your family cannot afford to let this slide.
6. Their personality has changed
Personality changes are often a result of declining cognitive performance and brain health. In many cases, it will show anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. This is largely because the individual is struggling to deal with the changes.
An inability to complete daily tasks as expected additionally introduces a lot of stress to their life. If your loved one always seems fatigued or is no longer motivated by hobbies or passions in life, it may be a sign that home health is needed.
These are meant to be your loved one’s golden years. If the challenges of daily life have stopped them from doing this and taken a toll on their health, outside support is needed.
7. Your loved one has become socially withdrawn
In addition to general personality changes, many people who would benefit from aged care and home health services become socially withdrawn. When social activities become a challenge, they simply stop enjoying them. Sadly, this is bad for their body and mind.
Social activities are great for keeping the brain sharp while also supporting happiness. The interactions provided by carers are hugely helpful. As well as gaining new friends, your loved one can learn about social activities.
Home health care also extends to helping loved ones learn basic computer skills so that they can stay connected to people. If someone you love is isolated, home health is a key service.
8. They have been injured
Finally, if a loved one has injured themselves due to cognitive decline or other issues attributed to getting older, you must not ignore it. First and foremost, you must ensure that they receive the medical attention and support needed to make a full recovery.
Following this, though, this situation must be seen as a clear sign that things need to change. If the accident occurred during a daily activity, securing home health care services to lift the weight of this job from their shoulders is essential.
In some cases, it may be a sign that moving to a nursing home setting is needed. For most, though, home health care will open the door to a safer and happier future.
Reviewed by
