What to Look for During a Summer Visit that Might Indicate Your Senior Needs Home Care

Home Care Services in Osakis MN: What to Look for During a Summer Visit that Might Indicate Your Senior Needs Home Care

If you are like many people, summer is an opportunity for you to spend more quality time with friends and family. If this includes time with an elderly parent who you might not have the opportunity to see very often, this can be a fantastic opportunity to check in on them, and evaluate their health, well-being, and condition. A senior’s needs change throughout the year, and the summer months might illustrate increased challenges that could show you now is the time to start home care. Noticing these changes in functioning, behavior, or symptoms allows you to make the decision about care that is right for your parent, and for you.

Some things to look for during a summer visit that might indicate your senior needs home care include:

• The home is too hot, either because they don’t have an adequate home cooling system, or they don’t know how to use it properly. This can put them at very serious risk for a variety of health issues
• They are wearing clothing that is inappropriate for the season. Look for them wearing heavy clothing, long sleeves, a coat, or clothing for the holidays. This could indicate problems with cognitive processing or memory
• They have food sitting out on the counter that might spoil easily
• They have expired food in their refrigerator, or food that is obviously old in their kitchen
• The lawn is overgrown or not well-tended
• The mailbox is full
• Your parent’s skin is thin, dry, or fragile, which might indicate that they are struggling with dehydration

Deciding whether it’s time to start home care for your aging parent can be an intimidating step in your caregiver journey with them. You want to feel confident you are making a decision that is right for your senior, and that you are putting in place plans that will support the highest quality of life for them now and into their future. Introducing an in-home senior care services provider into your care routine can be a fantastic way to not only ensure your parents needs are met effectively, but also to encourage them to maintain as much independence and activity as possible as they age in place. Evaluating the various personalized services your parents can receive from a care provider and help you to determine if the services would benefit your parents, and how best to integrate them into their normal routine.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care services in Osakis, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350.