As life progresses, some people may find they struggle to meet their needs alone at home. From key events such as an accident to the ageing process, there are multiple reasons for requiring home health care. While many recognise the need for assistance, others might struggle to do so, or they may not want to ask for help.
If you're worrying about a relative who appears to struggle at home, watching out for certain signs is beneficial.
They're experiencing more falls
Everyone's fall risk increases with age, and as 30% result in moderate to severe injuries, reducing the chances of one happening is central to your relative's safety. Furthermore, with a lower fall risk, they're less likely to lose their independence.
Older people are more likely to encounter falls for an array of reasons:
Using home health care, your relative can benefit from an assessment that'll make their home safer. As a result, they'll encounter fewer falls.
Self-care is becoming a struggle
As time goes on, everyone encounters a reduction in muscle mass and bone density. As a result, everyday tasks expend more energy, leading to fatigue.
Similarly, conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative conditions become more common. As a result, engaging in self-care tasks such as making meals, washing frequently and keeping the home tidy becomes challenging.
Using home health care, it's possible to employ professionals such as occupational therapists who'll perform a thorough home and capabilities assessment. By the end, your relative may benefit from a plan that makes self-care easier.
They're caring for others and feeling the strain
Few people will reach their older years without becoming either a temporary or permanent carer. If your relative finds themselves in the position of meeting someone else's needs, it's vital that they're able to meet them without struggling, for both of their sakes.
If someone you know suddenly becomes a carer and shows signs of depression, fatigue, or isolation, consider whether they require additional assistance. Such help can come in the form of care packages that eliminate the need for heavy lifting and intensive work.
In many cases, you can make a referral to your nearest home care provider without the assistance of a doctor. You may want to consider discussing the matter with your relative in advance in order to determine which solutions will best meet their needs.
Share13 March 2018
When I first started noticing veins protruding from my lower legs, I did my best to ignore them. However, I knew they were likely varicose veins, as both my parents have had varicose veins for several years. Eventually, I went to see my doctor due to experiencing leg swelling and red patches of skin, which turned out to be varicose eczema. I was prescribed the usual treatment, and my doctor discussed surgery to strip out the damaged veins, but I decided to postpone surgery and look at managing the swelling and protrusion of veins naturally. I started this blog to share my own experiences of trying complementary therapies, such as homeopathy, herbal medicine and massage, to manage my symptoms. I hope you find my posts useful and interesting.
