How to Reduce the Risk of Rehospitalization for Seniors

Nobody enjoys being admitted to the hospital. Whether it’s an overnight visit or an extended stay, the time away from the comforts of home can negatively affect a senior’s physical and mental health.

Readmittance soon after discharge from the hospital is difficult for seniors and their loved ones.

Unfortunately, this scenario is a sad and familiar reality for many individuals over 65. Roughly 20% of seniors on Medicare end up back in the hospital within 30 days of their last visit due to preventable factors such as:

• Medication issues
• Not following diet recommendations
• Falls and accidents
• Missed medical appointments
• Certain diseases such as heart issues, diabetes, stroke

Reduce hospital readmission risks by learning what questions to ask and understanding why professional in-home care can be vital for seniors after a stint in the hospital.

Questions to Ask During a Hospital Discharge

The hospital discharge practice often feels onerous, and seniors and their caregivers may leave confused. A smooth process — and getting clear instructions — can help reduce the odds of hospital readmission.

Here are some questions to ask before your senior loved one leaves the facility:

What do I need to know about their condition before discharge?
Make sure you get all information about your loved one’s condition from the hospital staff. Understand what they have been diagnosed with and what kind of care they received in the facility. Learn which symptoms will require follow-up from a medical professional.

Are there any changes to medication?
Medication errors are one of the main reasons seniors get readmitted to the hospital. Ask the hospital staff to provide you with a list of prescribed medications. Make sure you understand the dosages and recommended times. Also, confirm which medications your loved one should no longer take.

What upcoming appointments are needed?
Get a list of upcoming medical appointments and mark them on your calendar. Follow-up appointments will help a doctor confirm recovery is on track and prevent a return trip to the hospital. If possible, try to attend these appointments with your loved one.

What additional support is recommended?
Many seniors need non-medical support — such as help with mobility, bathing or dressing, and other household tasks — following a hospital stay. Ask hospital staff what kind of in-home care support your loved one requires. Also, find out what tasks they should do on their own. Not being able to do these tasks could be a sign of worsening health.

Can the hospital provide written, step-by-step discharge instructions?
Make sure to get clear, easy-to-understand, documented instructions from the hospital before discharge. If you can’t comprehend the instructions, review them with the staff. Make copies so both you and your loved one have the same information and, if necessary, rewrite them so they can be easily followed.

In-Home Care Program for Seniors After a Hospital Stay

Many family caregivers underestimate the support needed for seniors to continue on their road to recovery. As a result, the care at home may end with a return to the hospital or an emergency room.

With proper support and planning, you can reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. Consider enrolling in the Visiting Angels Newton/Canton’s From Hospital/Rehab to Home Program for extra assistance. This specialized service helps seniors transition from a hospital to a home setting safely and effectively, enabling your loved one to recover comfortably in familiar surroundings.

Experienced caregivers will provide seniors with:

• 24/7 in-home care
• Monitoring and reporting changes in condition
• Medication reminders
• Arranging and attending medical appointments
• Preparation of nutritious meals to meet dietary requirements
• Assistance with activities of daily living

Schedule a free care consultation to discuss your loved one’s needs during and following a hospital stay.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA has been providing high-caliber in-home care services for seniors and people with disabilities for over eighteen years. Countless families have benefited from our companion care, personal home care, live-in and 24/7 home care, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, fall prevention, respite support, transitional aid, and at home care services in Wellesley, Natick, Dedham, Needham, Newton, Watertown, Brookline, Stoughton, Canton, Jamaica Plain, Norwood, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. As a result of our exemplary home care service, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has won the Best of Home Care Leader in Excellence Award; the Best of Home Care Provider of Choice Award; and the Best of Home Care Employer of Choice Award from the national client satisfaction survey firm, Home Care Pulse, for six years. We have been honored to receive the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work award for seven years and one of the ten best places to work in Massachusetts in 2021 based on diversity and inclusion. Our dedicated and well-trained caregivers love their HHA jobs and CNA jobs.

Helping to Manage Sundowner’s Syndrome

Living with Alzheimer’s can be a challenge for the entire family. Whether your family has professional Alzheimer’s care assistance or if you are caring for your loved one alone, it can seem as if each day is full of new challenges and developments. 

One of the things that makes Alzehimer’s care so challenging is that those living with the disease can have different needs at different times of the day. Late afternoon and early evening can be especially hard for those who experience Sundowner’s Syndrome.

What is Sundowner’s Syndrome?

It is a change in behavior, temperament, or personality that occurs in the late afternoon or early evening.  This occurrence is also known as “sundown syndrome” or “sundowners” or “sundowning.”

The experts at WebMD cite that 1 out of 5 people in need of Alzheimer’s care suffer from Sundowner’s Syndrome. Doctors do not know what causes the sundowning behavior. However, the part of the brain that tells you if you are awake or asleep typically breaks down in Alzheimer’s patients. Some scientists think these neurological changes affect the inner body clock. 

Sundowning can manifest in several ways. Your loved one may become:

• Agitated
• Restless
• Irritable
• Confused
• Disoriented
• Demanding
• Suspicious

People with Sundowner’s Syndrome may even yell or pace around the room, sometimes hearing or seeing things that are not there. They may also exhibit mood swings. These behaviors can become progressively worse and can range in duration from a short time to the entire night.

Suggestions for Managing Sundowner’s Syndrome

As a family caregiver, you will need to demonstrate flexibility and empathy to help your loved one feel as peaceful as possible.

1. OBSERVE
   Take careful notice of events that trigger the behavior. Does the evening news instigate agitation? Is the late afternoon a time of significant activity in your home? Anything that disturbs the regular order of the day could prompt a behavioral change. Nutritional triggers can also stimulate behavior. Assess and possibly limit caffeine, sugar, and alcohol intake.
   
   
   
2. DISTRACT
   If this is their new reality, you must endeavor to understand it. Don’t express frustration with your loved one, but use activities, such as music or television shows, they enjoy as a calming tactic. It will divert their attention from troubling thoughts yet soothe them with the familiar things they love. Consider companion care from a professional home care agency to assist your loved one during the most challenging hours of sundowning behavior.
   
   
   
3. ADJUST
   In addition to natural light, the use of bright lights in the room during the day will ward off the evening shadows and maintain the daytime glow until it is time for bed.
   
   
   
4. SIMPLIFY
   Adjust their sleep environment to one that is welcoming and serene. Light-blocking curtains can create a cocoon-like setting that encourages a restful night’s sleep.
   
   
   
5. CONSULT
   Check with your loved one’s doctor* about natural supplements and discuss the possibility of recommending anti-anxiety and even anti-depressant meds. Use caution when purchasing anything over the counter unless the doctor has confirmed there is no interference with already prescribed medications.

Finally, try to have patience. It may take a little time to figure out what combination of solutions works for your loved one. When it comes to Alzheimer’s and dementia care, everyone is different. If you need professional at-home living assistance, we are here to help.

Together with your family, we will give your loved one all the respect and love they deserve with the finest in Alzheimer’s care. To request a free in-home consultation, and find out more about our caregiver services, call us today at 617-795-2727.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton:

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia and Alzheimer’s care, companion care, respite care, transitional aid, and elder home care services in Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, Westwood, Norwood and nearby towns. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. If you find yourself or a loved one in need of in-home senior care services, don't hesitate to contact us!

* This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered an endorsement or recommendation for treatment of any kind. If you are concerned about your loved one's health, a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s, or about their progression after diagnosis, please contact their physician. Visiting Angels does not provide medical care and does not provide recommendations on the type of treatments available for dementia or Alzheimers, nor do we endorse any specific treatments.

Finding a Compatible Home Care Provider

Finding the right home care provider for your spouse, parent, or grandparent can be difficult. Thanks to our Select Your Caregiver® program, Visiting Angels® makes it easy for care recipients and their families to find a compatible home care provider. We’ve been matching clients with qualified, skilled, and compassionate caregivers for more than two decades. We know what it takes to find the right fit, and we understand how important and impactful your choice of caregiver will be.

If you’re currently looking for a home care provider and you’re unsure what to look for in a caregiver, don’t worry. By focusing on the following three qualities, you will quickly narrow down the list of potential caregivers.

1. Caregiving Skills & Experience

Home care is a wide-ranging industry, encompassing many different types of care services. On one end of the spectrum is companion care, which provides aging and disabled individuals with a helping hand for necessary, day-to-day activities. On the other end, are various types of specialized care for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

If your loved one only requires essential in-home living assistance — help running errands, making meals, doing laundry — a companion care provider will be suitable. Other types of care will require a caregiver with specialized skills and experience. This includes physical assistance, as well as specialized care services such as Alzheimer’s care and dementia care.

Before meeting with in-home care agencies, it’s a good idea to draw up a list of tasks that your loved one will need from his or her caregiver. Consider researching caregiving activities online so that you don’t forget anything. This will also allow you to familiarize yourself with which types of caregivers provide which kinds of services.

When meeting with potential in-home care agencies, it is helpful to review this list with them in detail. Ask them whether they provide each of the services your loved one will need. Also, check whether the caregivers are CNA or HHA-certified caregivers; they have training or experience providing these services to seniors. Finally, make sure that they are adequately licensed for whatever level of care your loved one requires.

2. Choose a Home Care Aide with Personality

When hiring a home care provider, a caregiver’s personality can be as important as his or her professional skill set. On a basic level, this will ensure that your loved one trusts his or her caregiver. Without this trust, high-quality home care service can be unhelpful.

On a deeper level, the right personality fit can be the difference between substandard care and the right caregiver. Your loved one will spend several hours a week with their caregiver, so it’s vital that a strong relationship is established. When personalities clash, home care visits are a chore for both parties. However, with the right fit, a caregiver can feel like a new member of the family.

As you meet with caregivers, it’s crucial that you and your loved one get a feel for each caregiver as a person. Will your loved one feel comfortable receiving care from this individual? Will your loved one enjoy conversations or quiet time in this person’s presence? Will you and your family feel at ease with this caregiver looking after your loved one? Trust your instincts and make sure that you, your loved one, and your family are happy with the final decision.

3. Caregiver Availability & Scheduling

The third important factor when choosing a compatible home care provider is scheduling and availability. While some seniors only require a few hours of care every week, others require assistance on a full-time basis or even 24-hour care. The more intensive your loved one’s caregiving needs, the more challenging it can be to find a caregiver with suitable availability.

At the same time, many seniors are set in their day-to-day routines and preferences. It’s important that these routines are maintained or accommodated when scheduling home care visits. If your loved one enjoys sleeping in, early morning visits could be disruptive. If they enjoy afternoon walks, you’ll want to make sure that a caregiver is there to accompany them.

While scheduling and availability are important in a home caregiver, sometimes it’s worth making the sacrifice for the right caregiver. If, for example, you’ve found a caregiver with the ideal skill set and personality, but your loved one would need to take their daily walk an hour later each day, a slight change in your loved one’s routine may be worth it to get the caregiver you feel is the right fit.

Are you looking for qualified home care providers in your area? Contact us today for a free in-home consultation.

When to Hire a Personal Caregiver

Many seniors require assistance with personal care for their comfort, safety, and overall quality of life. Families often struggle with when to hire a personal caregiver even as the need for skilled caregiving grows.

There are a few different reasons for this. Professional caregiving can be costly, so families sometimes have apprehension about affordability. Others don’t fully understand the distinction between personal care and companion care. Also, some elderly adults may resist hiring a personal caregiver. Typically, this stems from feelings of unease or embarrassment about what this type of care entails.

However, personal care is essential for any senior who wishes to age in place and maintain quality of life. Because of this, it’s vital to understand this type of caregiving and when it becomes a necessity.

UNSURE WHETHER TO HIRE PERSONAL CARE SERVICES FOR AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE? THE FOLLOWING GUIDE SHOULD HELP.

When Does Personal Care Become Necessary?

Generally speaking, there are two different types of home care services. First, there’s companion care, which covers basic caregiving needs, such as help preparing meals, light housekeeping, and running errands. Next, there’s personal care or private duty care, including more intensive caregiving tasks, including assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, and bathing.

Usually, personal care becomes necessary when seniors can no longer safely perform these tasks by themselves. However, personal caregiving may also be required in other situations, such as lack of mobility, an increased risk of falling, or a chronic physical health condition (such as arthritis, diabetes, or COPD).

Based on the above, the need for personal caregiving may seem cut and dry. However, that’s rarely the case. Age-related physical difficulties don’t come about all at once. Instead, they develop gradually over time. That makes it easy to miss signs that advanced care may be necessary.

The best way to catch these warning signs is to become familiar with them. Below, we’ve collected five key factors that indicate it may be time to hire a personal or private duty care service.

Signs Your Loved One Needs Private Duty Care

Advice from Health Care Professionals. If a doctor or nurse believes that your loved one cannot safely live at home without professional senior home care, they may recommend that you hire personal or private duty care.

Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living. Has your loved one admitted that they struggle with necessary personal activities, like dressing or bathing? You may wish to talk with them about whether they might benefit from personal caregiving.

Fear for Personal Safety and Health. As their physical health declines, many seniors start to fear for their safety and well-being. A professional caregiver can reduce risks of injury and illness, keeping your loved one safe, and dispelling unwanted fears.

Unexplained Injuries or Self-Neglect. Many elderly adults become embarrassed when they are no longer able to care for themselves. In these cases, they’re unlikely to admit the need for care. However, family members can often spot signs of decline, including unexplained cuts, scrapes, and bruises, or signs of self-neglect.

Noticeable Loss of Mobility or Strength. At a certain point, the age-related physical decline becomes evident. When your loved one struggles to move from point A to point B regularly or doesn’t have the strength to perform everyday tasks, it’s time to start thinking about in-home care services.

Next Steps: In-Home Consultations & Hiring Home Caregivers

Even if you’re unsure whether or not your loved one requires skilled caregiving, we strongly recommend speaking with local home care providers. A consultation comes with zero risks, and if you hire a care service earlier rather than later, you raise the chances of your loved having the ability to age in place safely.

If you live in the Greater Boston area, please contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton to learn more about personal and private duty care services. We offer free consultations conducted in the comfort of your loved one’s home.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your loved one’s care needs, recommend a basic framework for services, and work with you to develop a care plan and schedule that fits your budget and your loved one’s lifestyle. Every client is carefully matched with a compatible caregiver, and through Select Your Caregiver®, you can be confident your loved one will get a caregiver who is the right fit for their needs and personality.

Choosing the right home care provider is a difficult decision, and you want the best for your loved one. Our experienced and compassionate home caregivers have served countless seniors and disabled adults in Greater Boston with dignity and respect for over 14 years. As a result of our exemplary home care service, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has won the Best of Home Care Leader in Excellence Award; the Best of Home Care Provider of Choice Award; and the Best of Home Care Employer of Choice Award from the national client satisfaction survey firm Home Care Pulse five years in a row. We have accreditation by Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts and have been awarded Boston Globe Top Places to Work.

Call Visiting Angels Newton/Canton at 617-795-2727 today to learn more about personal care and book a free in-home consultation with us.

Home Caregivers Can Be Your Eyes and Ears for Your Loved Ones

https://www.visitingangels.com/newton/faq

Your Mom and Dad may be enjoying their golden years, but as time goes on, issues may naturally arise. Maybe Mom has a slow-progressing eye condition and is gradually losing her independence. Alternatively, Dad has begun to forget the names of you and your siblings randomly. Which may be a sign he is experiencing the early stages of dementia.

It is natural to become anxious and concerned when you start to notice these changes. Your instinct may be to step in and care for your parent. However, you can't neglect balancing other needs: a full-time job, children, and family. Self-care can quickly become an occasional priority as you are trying to juggle your personal life simultaneously while helping your aging loved one. Too many pressures can cause you to burn out both emotionally and financially.

It is essential to understand Mom or Dad’s conditions as their needs evolve. It is nearly impossible to gauge the level of care your loved one will need, even if you have become their primary caregiver. The natural aging process can expose your parent to a range of health issues, and certain conditions may remain undiagnosed until there is an injury or illness.

Maybe you’ve thought about asking your parent to move in with you. However, most elderly would like to age in place and maintain their independence. Per a joint report by the Home Care Association of America and Global Coalition on Aging: “Nine out of ten Americans 65 and older want to stay at home for as long as possible, and 80 percent think their current home is where they will always live.”

Technology is not Enough

You may think using smart telehealth devices or installing a home-monitoring system is the answer. However, stand-alone technology can hardly replace the expertise of a trained professional such as an HHA or CNA who has cared for older adults just like your parents.

Even if you’re seeing Mom and Dad on a regular basis, it doesn’t mean you can manage the care alone. For instance, severe mood swings may not manifest in an elderly until sundown, a time when you’re likely to feel drained from a long day. During moments of irritability and high-agitation, your parent can’t depend on a digital health device to restore a sense of calm; however, a trained, professional caregiver can be a calming presence, and be your eyes and ears for Mom and Dad when you can’t be there.

Emotional Safety and Physical Security

A quality home care provider can address safety before it's too late. For example, if your parent is losing balance, your mom’s professional caregiver has been trained to “fall-proof” the home.

Further, this person can serve as a human firewall. Lonely seniors become easy prey for fraudsters. An unsuspecting elderly adult is a target for scam artists. Make sure your elderly loved one doesn’t end up a victim. Every day, scammers are trying to gather personal information and are banking on confused seniors to give it to them. Fraudsters may try to engage a lonely senior who is hungry for more interaction. It’s just another scenario where a caregiver can mitigate potential harm for your loved one.

Professional Care after a Hospital Visit

If your mom or dad was recently discharged from the hospital, it is imperative to provide specific care to help prevent costly readmission. Quality in-home care services can dramatically reduce the chances of your loved one relapsing or getting re-injured. Around-the-clock care for the first month after hospital discharge is always recommended. Elderly adults have a much lower chance of recovery if they are re-hospitalized in this 30-day window, which is why reducing hospital readmissions is crucial.

Will you be around to ensure your parent strictly adheres to a doctor’s discharge care plan? If not, you can rely on a professional caregiver to follow the medical directive and care plan, keeping your loved one safe and out of the hospital.

What about if the doctor assigns Mom or Dad a meal plan? Will you be there to prepare the recommended foods for your parent?  Professional caregivers will prepare nutritious meals for your loved one as part of their routine.

It is no secret that early detection is the key to better health outcomes. While caregivers are not medical professionals, they do possess the education and experience necessary to recognize initial signs of dementia, Alzheimer's or symptoms of depression. They can be your eyes and ears while working extra hard to foster a positive attitude in your loved one.

A home care provider is an objective third-party who takes a measured approach. Should there be a problem, you won't lose precious time before addressing the issue.

Hire a Caregiver from a Reputable Homecare Agency

No doubt you wish to hire a caregiver that you can trust to care for your loved one. That means professional skills, experience, and an attitude of respect and compassion towards the elderly. Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has an outstanding team of caregivers who are CNA or HHA certified. Each has at least three years’ professional experience in the field of home care services. Caregivers must pass an extensive home care exam and are interviewed at length by two Case Managers. Our new Caregivers complete a full orientation training which includes a specialized dementia care program. We provide continuous support with events, training, and awards. We even take care to assign caregivers that fits the personality traits of our clients to ensure the best outcome.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care, Alzheimer's care, companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and elder home care services in Needham, Dedham, Canton, Stoughton, Newton, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Wellesley, Westwood, Watertown, Natick, Roslindale, Norwood, and nearby towns. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a positive impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information or visit our website at https://visitingangels.com/newton.

Helping Your Senior Loved One Battle the Holiday Blues

For many, the holidays are the best time of year filled with family get-togethers, feasts and fun traditions; but for seniors, this can be the most depressing of all seasons as they pine for lost loved ones. And in a lot of cases, with family miles away, seniors struggle to decorate, shop, and prepare a meal. They struggle with feeling sad that they can’t move around as easily as they did when they were younger.

Visiting Angels, one of the largest in-home senior care companies in the nation, offers local families the vital service of hiring senior loved ones a holiday companion. Don’t know what to get Grandma or Grandpa for Christmas? How about a friend, or better yet, an angel - a Visiting Angel that is! A holiday companion is also a priceless gift that adult children can give themselves this year – Visiting Angels can provide them with a professional caregiver to tend to their senior loved ones’ every need as they prepare for a house full of guests or holiday event.

Roughly one in four seniors (age 65 or older) suffers from depression. More than 70 percent of older Americans feel isolated and lonely*. And, nearly one-third of all non-institutionalized older Americans live alone** (more depression information included below).

“The holidays can be tough on seniors because many have lost people they loved. Plus, they aren’t as mobile to visit friends and family or even decorate or shop,” says Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels. “Our caregivers socialize with seniors, take them visiting and keep them engaged instead of sitting at home feeling isolated and depressed. Plus, our caregivers give families the heads up about their senior’s state-of-mind, to differentiate between the holiday blues and full-blown depression.”

The Holiday Blues vs. Senior Depression

The holiday blues are often temporary and dissipate when the season ends. The holiday blues are also associated with the time change – as daylight hours become shorter. If the blues continue after the season, it could be a warning sign of depression.

Senior depression is often mistaken for other age-related issues. In fact, stress-related events such as the holidays may trigger half of all depressive episodes, according to the U.C. Davis Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
 
Common signs of senior depression include***

• Lack of appetite
• Extreme fatigue – excessive sleeping. The body shuts down to escape from the outside world.
• Problems concentrating
• Anti-social – may stop doing normal things such as going to church.
• Older adults may not express sadness (unlike kids with depression).
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol
• Being angry – sarcastic and criticizes others’ joy of the season.

How Angels Help Seniors Beat the Holiday Blues

Encourage seniors to exercise – Various studies reveal that staying physically active not only makes people feel good, but it has the same effect on mood and brain chemistry as antidepressants.

Keep alcohol use to a minimum – Alcohol is a known depressant. Visiting Angels caregivers can create some other festive drinks such as eggnog or a flavored hot chocolate to help seniors cheerfully toast to the season.

Don’t feel obligated to buy lots of gifts – Giving certainly can make you feel good but in times of financial despair, giving gifts can create a lot of stress. Instead, Visiting Angels caregivers can help seniors write and send personalized cards to family and friends.

Stay connected socially – Volunteer at a soup kitchen (or other organization) with a caregiver – giving back greatly improves people’s moods and increases their sense of self-worth. Caregivers can also teach seniors how to use computers or cell phones to stay socially connected with family and friends. They can take seniors to a local coffee shop or to look at Christmas lights for some holiday cheer outside the home.

Be a good listener – Sometimes all it takes to help a senior with the holiday blues is to simply listen. Through conversation, caregivers can help seniors live in the present (instead of dwelling on “the good old days”) and keep their holiday expectations realistic.

Caregivers also cook, clean, drive seniors to doctors and stores, and even help decorate! Get a professional caregiver for your senior loved one today!


*University of Michigan study, 2005
**Administration on Aging (2010 data).
***Gottlieb Memorial Hospital and Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton senior home care agency provides high quality in-home care services to seniors and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care, Alzheimer’s care, companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and elderhome care services in Wellesley, Natick, Newton, Needham, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns . The services provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton will be sure to make a big impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Call us today at 617-795-2727 for more information.

Clutter is a Sign that Your Senior Needs Home Care

Clutter can be one of the first signs that your loved one needs help. If you visit your loved one, who normally has the house in near-mint condition, and the house looks unkempt, it is a sign that something may not be right. You may have to play detective and interpret the clues. Seniors don’t always ask for the help they need, so you can’t wait for him or her to make the first move. If you think your loved one is struggling, it might be time to consider getting them support.

Clutter poses a significant risk to aging seniors living alone at home because they often have underlying health issues that can make them more prone to falling. When you consider poor eyesight, a misplaced item on the floor in a walkway can become a fall risk. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in seniors; they lead to severe injuries, like hip fractures, broken bones and brain injuries. If your loved one falls once, the risk of future falls double, and the possible health complications increase with each fall.

Clutter could be a sign of underlying health problems as well.

Clutter can be a sign that your loved one isn’t able to handle day-to-day housework anymore. Your parents may be reaching an age where their muscles and skeleton weaken; or they may have arthritis, which can affect dexterity. Often, seniors can be too proud to ask for help, or in denial that they need assistance. This may be because they don’t want to be a burden on family or friends, or because they fear that a change in routine might lead to a loss of privacy and independence.

Clutter may also be an early sign of dementia, e.g. when your loved one is missing steps in their usual daily routine, like forgetting to vacuum or clear up after dinner. Other similar signs include not carrying out basic personal hygiene or forgetting to pay bills. We all forget things, misplace car keys or mix up names, but regular occurrences, particularly in an older person, could be a warning. If you suspect your loved one is exhibiting signs of dementia, contact their physician.

A decline in the cleanliness of your loved one’s home could also be due to depression or mental fatigue. As they age, they don’t produce the same levels of chemicals like serotonin that help balance moods. Physical problems, like loss of mobility, can cause them to become isolated and loneliness can be a prime cause of depression. Boredom can be a factor and seniors also face many issues that can be upsetting, like the loss of friends and loved ones, and facing their own mortality.

As with dementia, if a general malaise and lack of effort around the home is accompanied by other signs of depression, like weight loss, sudden mood changes and trouble sleeping, it may be wise to contact a medical professional.

Maybe friends and family could help your loved one with housework if needed, but remember, this may be a long-term commitment. Of course, you can pick up after your loved one, but that may not address the underlying causes of the clutter in their home.

A professional home caregiver from Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can help your family member with housework, either by carrying out tasks that they physically can’t manage or by offering gentle reminders of the tasks still to be done. If your loved one is determined to live at home as mental faculties wane, professional home care can help tremendously.

If the clutter in your loved one’s home does become evidence of a deeper problem, a professional caregiver from Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can help with those conditions, too. If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, a caregiver can help them keep up with daily routines and offer stimulation to help to slow the advance of the disease, while watching for signs of the condition deteriorating. If your loved one is depressed, a professional caregiver can help with activities and socializing, either by offering companionship or by enabling interaction with other seniors.

Whatever the reason for the clutter in your loved one’s home, the time to act on it is now. It may be indicative of underlying problems that must be addressed.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton understands that each client has unique needs. Therefore, we design a personalized home care plan for each client, based on the results of an initial in-home consultation by one of our case managers. Then we carefully choose the right caregiver for the client, considering factors such as technical skills, personality traits, and experience.

Our home care aides are professional, experienced and always treat clients with respect and dignity. They are trained with the use of Hoyer lifts, gait belt or other transfer equipment.

We are on call 24/7 at 617-795-2727, always ready to provide help to your loved one. And, we have a large pool of back-up caregivers. Your loved one will not be alone if your regular caregiver cannot provide service due to unexpected circumstances.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton has won the Best of Home Care Provider of Choice, Leader in Excellence and Employer of Choice from Home Care Pulse for years. Our quality is recognized! If you loved one needs senior home care assistance in Needham, Dedham, Canton, Watertown, Brookline, Wellesley, and nearby areas, please call us at 617-795-2727 for a free consultation.