Aging in place offers seniors the chance to stay in their homes, enjoying both independence and familiarity. However, there inevitably comes a time when 24-hour home care is required. Spotting the signs and having honest discussions about this shift can help families make the best decision for their loved one’s safety and overall quality of life.
Signs That 24-Hour Home Care Is Necessary
Several red flags suggest a senior might need continuous oversight and assistance. Frequent falls, or even near misses, are among the most troubling. When a loved one suffers multiple falls or struggles with balance and mobility, the likelihood of serious injury escalates dramatically when they’re alone. Other signs that point to a need for 24-hour home care include the following:
- Medication Issues: Medication management problems also point to the need for round-the-clock care. If a loved one is forgetting doses, taking the wrong amount, or simply not remembering if they’ve already taken their pills, it can all be problematic.
- Cognitive Decline: When memory issues escalate from the occasional lapse to confusion about where they are, what time it is, or even who people are, seniors might wander off or make unsafe choices. Someone with progressing dementia, for instance, could leave the stove on, forget to secure the doors, or get lost in their own home.
- Decreased Personal Care or Home Maintenance: If a normally tidy senior stops bathing regularly, wears dirty clothes, or fails to complete daily tasks, it’s a clear sign they might need more help.
- Decreased Mood: Social isolation and depression can also spiral downward rapidly without some form of intervention. Seniors who withdraw from activities they once loved, seldom venture out, or voice feelings of loneliness might find the companionship and routine of 24-hour home care beneficial.
- Caregiver Burnout: Another sign that more support is needed is caregiver burnout. Whether primary caregivers are fatigued, overwhelmed, or unable to provide sufficient supervision, it’s time to consider professional, round-the-clock support.
Initiating the Discussion
Talking with a loved one about transitioning to 24-hour home care often demands sensitivity, patience, and careful preparation. Family members should select a calm, private time when the senior is at ease and open to conversation. Pushing the issue or introducing it during stressful periods seldom yields positive results.
Additionally, it’s important to start the conversation with expressions of affection and concern, which establishes a supportive atmosphere. For instance, instead of emphasizing the senior’s diminishing capabilities, families should structure the conversation around preserving their quality of life and ensuring their safety.
It is also worth noting that active listening to the senior’s emotions, apprehensions, and preferences is essential. Many seniors are resistant to the prospect of full-time care, often due to fears of losing their independence or becoming a burden. Acknowledging these concerns validates their feelings and allows for collaborative problem-solving. Finally, involving seniors in the decision-making process gives them a sense of control, which is why it might be better to start the conversation sooner rather than later.
Transitioning to 24-hour home care is a significant change, but things will go more smoothly if family members pay attention to the warning signs and ensure seniors feel as if they are part of the process instead of feeling as if the decision has already been made.
Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/assessing-need-for-caregiver/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place/aging-place-growing-older-home
If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Orinda, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.