Age can be a cruel thing to those we love. It’s always hard to watch someone you swear you just saw at the peak of health slowly degrade over time. You want to help them be as comfortable as possible, but you also don’t want to put them in a home. Thankfully, there is another option. If you feel like someone you love may qualify for home care service in Santa Cruz CA, here are the main signs that you’re probably right.
#1. Worsening memory
Everyone forgets things from time to time, even stuff that, any other day of the week, they would remember off the top of their head. However, as we get older, that forgetfulness only gets worse. While in many cases this is natural, in many others, this is an early warning of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
#2. Poor hygiene
This can take form in one of two ways. Either your loved one’s home will become increasingly messy, as basic daily activities have become too much for them to handle, or they’ll continuously fail to take care of themselves, whether it be not brushing their teeth or not taking baths in days or even weeks. Like with their home, these tasks have become too difficult for them, and require dedicated assistance to perform.
#3. Regular health issues
As our bodies get older, our immune system becomes older and weaker as well. Because of this, older people are more likely to come down with serious illnesses, or to take longer to get over more minor illnesses like the flu. You may not be in a position to be there for them as often as they need you to be, but a home care assistant can keep a constant watch over your loved one, making sure they get the help they need when they need it.
#4. Changes in personality
This is a clear sign that your loved one is experiencing Alzheimer’s disease, as their personality begins to drastically change. Your mother may become more moody or reclusive, your father may start to hate the hobbies he used to love so much. Home care is the recommended service at this point, as they likely need someone at their side on a constant basis.
As hard as it is watching a loved one become worn down by time, home care services can make the journey as comfortable for them as possible. If one or more of these matches the description of an older loved one, consider home care services, such as Pacific Angels Home Care, especially if you live in the Santa Cruz area.