The job of a parent is to take care of their children while they are young, and it’s the job of their children to take care of them when they grow unable to care for themselves.
The problem with this logic is that many children with elderly parents or relatives tend to have full-time jobs and other situations that make them unable to act as caregivers around the clock.
Below are four signs that you should enlist the help of a professional to better take care of and meet the needs of an elderly loved one.
1. Your Loved One Wanders
As people age, dementia tends to arise in one form or another. While it may not be as severe as Alzheimer’s disease, it can still lead to something referred to as “wandering”.
Wandering occurs when your loved one wanders off. They may get confused, or they may be reminiscing about older memories. This can leave them lost and in situations that may result in physical harm.
2. Your Loved One Sustains Injuries
The most startling thing that anyone can encounter is an open wound on their loved one that they did not notice. These types of injuries are all too common for elderly individuals, as they may not notice or feel the injury until some time later.
The best way to prevent these injuries from becoming life-threatening is to use an in-home care professional. Senior care professionals are trained in first-aid and can provide services such as physical therapy to ensure your loved one stays healthy.
3. Your Loved One Experiences Sundown Syndrome
Sundown syndrome is a term that expresses an increased amount of agitation or confusion most commonly seen as dusk approaches. It stems from dementia or another cognitive impairment, both of which are common to elderly individuals. It can result in everything from simple arguments to vision impairment that can potentially lead to accidents.
4. Your Loved One Needs Additional Care
If you find yourself being unable to render the kind of care that your loved one needs, or your loved one is incapable of taking care of themselves, then it’s time to seek additional help. They may otherwise face situations where their own problems will become worse as time progresses because they cannot help themselves like they would in their younger years.
Caregivers Help Your Elderly Loved One
It’s impossible to always be there for your elderly loved one when you have your own life filled with your own obligations. A caregiver can give you freedom while ensuring that your loved one still has as much freedom as possible while staying free from harm’s way.
