One of the most challenging decisions in life is determining when your aging parent needs elder care or assisted living. Our parents are usually the strong focal point of our lives, and it may not be easy to accept that they’ve become less than completely strong and independent. In addition, many older adults prefer to remain independent for as long as possible. Don’t be surprised if you encounter resistance from your loved one when you broach the topic of living assistance. If your loved one needs home healthcare in Yorba Linda, Home Care Providers can help you.
If you’re not sure which signs to look for, then the following may help with that decision. Bear in mind, however, that an occasional sign, such as not dressing for the day, doesn’t necessarily indicate the need for assistance. Often, an elderly or aging person just doesn’t feel good on a particular day, even when they’re otherwise healthy, and they may decide to stay in their pajamas for the day. It is common for many older people who feel they’ve earned the right to do as they please; it’s not necessarily an indication of the need for assistance. It’s when this becomes the norm rather than the exception that it may signal the need for help. If you notice any or several of the following repeated signs or behaviors in your loved one, they may signal the need for assistance.
Which Signs Should I Look For In My Elderly Loved One?
One or more of the following behaviors or situations may indicate that your elderly loved one needs home healthcare in Yorba Linda. However, there’s often a gradual onset of these signs to not notice them until several of them are present. People of all ages become adept at hiding any indication that they need help, so don’t blame yourself if you haven’t noticed the signs. Any or all of the following habitual behaviors, though, may indicate that your loved one needs home health care:
- Attitude changes: Attitude changes can involve new behaviors, the absence of usual behaviors, or a change in the frequency or severity of current behaviors. The following list may help, although the list isn’t all-inclusive:
- Abuse, either physical or verbal
- Becoming uncommunicative
- Depression
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Lack of communication
- Medical or emotional crisis
- Paranoia
- Temper tantrums or exhibitions of sudden anger
- Cognitive dysfunction in basic tasks: The inability to manage medications is one of the most critical signals because your loved one can accidentally overdose or under-dose, either of which can precipitate a life-threatening situation. Also, the inability to appropriately dress or prepare a meal, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, or the tendency to sit in one spot all day can signal the need for assistance. If your loved one can’t remember the names of old friends or everyday objects, they forget to lock up at night or turn off the stove, or they frequently lose track of time, they may need home care services in Yorba Linda. If you notice lots of new spills throughout the house or dishes that have been broken because your loved one dropped them, then it may be time for home care.
- Inadequate hygiene: Particularly if an older adult is depressed, they may bathe infrequently, have a foul mouth or body odor, or habitually appear unkempt.
- Personal health:
- Appetite changes
- Burns or bruises
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Dehydration
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fatigue
- Frequent falls
- Hearing loss
- Incontinence
- Lack of coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Social withdrawal
- Weight loss
- Isolation: Sometimes, seniors who live alone may become lonely and feel isolated, mainly if their family lives in a different city or state and have few friends. They may keep the blinds or curtains drawn 24/7 and rarely interact with others, even those whom they’ve known for years.
- Loss of cognitive functions: When an older adult is frequently forgetful, seems unable to converse intelligently, often repeats themselves, has recurring memory lapses, or gets lost more quickly and more regularly, then they may need home health care.
- Responsibilities: When bills aren’t paid, the mail is left unopened, laundry isn’t done, the refrigerator has rotten food, and there may be nothing edible in the house, then the elderly may need a caregiver. It is especially vital when prescriptions aren’t refilled, there are new dents in their vehicle, and there are numerous overdraft notices from the bank. All of these and more can present legal and health obstacles that you can’t ignore.
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Having “The Conversation”
One of the biggest obstacles to hiring a homecare agency in Yorba Linda or any other city is parental resistance. Usually, the elderly are accustomed to taking care of their own needs and often dislike having their abilities and independence challenged, so you must remain respectful and considerate. Try to put yourself in their position, because, sooner or later, this will happen to almost everyone. Your loved one may feel threatened or think their family doesn’t care about them anymore when this is the farthest from the truth. Often, they resent the loss of privacy that they feel will happen with a caregiver, and to some extent, this may be justified, especially if they need help with bathing or dressing. Try to be empathetic but don’t be fake.
If you don’t reach an agreement during the initial conversation – and you probably won’t – that’s fine. When the prospect is presented lovingly and kindly, it’s more likely to be accepted. Your suggestion will be better received if you politely state to your loved ones that you notice they seem to be overworked and ask if they would like some help rather than baldly state that the place is a mess and you’re calling someone to help. You may also find that they’ll approach the subject on their own after a few days, which will be an ideal time to discuss their needs, preferences, and expectations. It may not be easy, but if you can maintain a pleasant demeanor during all the conversations about home healthcare in Yorba Linda, your loved one will be more easily convinced. Try not to become frustrated with your role reversal. It’s a part of the aging process for both you and your loved one, so try to be patient.
How To Approach “The Conversation”
The aging process is scary but you want to create a safe living environment for your loved ones. None of us has ever been through it before, and it’s frightening to realize that your mind and body aren’t working like it shouldhttps://homecareproviders.com/how-to-create-a-safe-living-environment-for-your-loved-one/ and like it always has. If your loved ones become defensive, it’s very understandable – they’re probably afraid. Fear of the unknown is normal, and the aging process is the unknown. It’s also unique to the individual, so they may be experiencing things that they haven’t heard about before. No matter what your loved one has heard from their parents and relatives about growing older, it doesn’t sink in until it happens to them. It’s also a reminder of their mortality, and few people want to contemplate that. Phraseology and loving-kindness are the keys to a successful conversation about home care services in Yorba Linda. The following lead-ins, or similar ones, can help set the tone for a positive result.
- “Gosh, the older I get, the harder it is to get everything done.”
- “With my job, the kids, the housework, and needing a little time for myself, I never seem able to keep up anymore!”
- “How did you get everything done when you were raising a family? Did you have someone help you?”
- “You must miss that person who used to come every week to cook and clean.”
Identifying with your loved one about the need for help can make it seem more ordinary rather than a consequence of getting older and less capable. It can also provide a common point of reference for you both and perhaps bring up some fond memories that may help your loved one realize that you’re doing this out of love and concern rather than because you’re trying to run their life.
What Types Of Home Health Care Are Available?
Depending on the need, home healthcare in Yorba Linda is available as follows:
Memory Care At Home:
Our memory care at home program provides certified, credentialed, and licensed caregivers who will:
- Communicate clearly, particularly if your loved one has memory loss
- Care for pets and plants
- Encouragement engagement
- Encourage social interaction
- Maintain a routine based on your loved one’s preferences
- Manage undesirable behaviors and mood swings
- Provide light housework and light laundry to keep the living areas clean and neat
- Provide companionship
- Provide healthy meals
- Provide personal care assistance such as bathing, oral care, dressing, skincare, toileting
- Provide additional personal care such as range-of-motion, repositioning, changing adult briefs, perineal care
- Perform errands and grocery shop
Our list of caregiver options includes:
- HHA’s, or home health aides
- CNA’s, or certified nurses aides
- LPN’s, or licensed practical nurses
- RN’s, or private-duty registered nurses
The type of health care provider you need will depend on the degree of assistance that your loved one needs. When you call our homecare agency in Yorba Linda, we’ll ask many questions to ensure that we provide you with the home caregiver that will best suit your loved one and their needs. We strive to ensure that our caregivers are the best match for our clients because we want both the client and the caregiver to be happy with each other to allow your loved one to continue to participate in recreational activities. In the unlikely event that your loved one and our caregiver aren’t compatible, we’ll work with you to rectify the situation so that your loved one is happy. Similarly, if you need an increased or decreased level of care, we’ll work with you on that as well.
We have caregivers for almost all situations, whether temporary or permanent. We have access to hundreds of professional caregivers whose skills range from the basics of companionship and light housework to highly skilled nursing needs for those who have long-term illnesses or need end-of-life care.
Transitional Care
If your loved one is transitioning to home after a hospitalization or surgical procedure, Home Care Providers can provide varying levels of service for the loved one and their family. We’ll interface with all caregivers involved to ensure a seamless, satisfactory transition for the loved one and reduce preventable hospital readmissions.
If Your Loved One Says “No” To Home Healthcare In Yorba Linda
Despite your best efforts, your loved one may refuse to accept home care. If you know that they need help, but you are out of options, then call us. We have decades of experience changing the mindset of recalcitrant loved ones, and we can help you. Threats and bullying don’t usually work, so it’s best not to try them. We’re professionals, and our negotiating skills are excellent, so if you feel like you’re out of options, call us. We’ll work with you to provide a satisfactory solution for everyone.
If You’re Looking For “Skilled Care Near Me”
If you’re still looking for “skilled care near me,” then call Home Care Providers. We provide a free, confidential consultation, and we’ll do our utmost to help you find a solution for your home care needs. If it’s more convenient, you can send us a message online, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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