“I absolutely do NOT need to move to an assisted living facility!” It is a typical sentiment proclaimed by many older adults, even when they begin to have trouble with managing tasks in the home independently. And who can blame them? Home is where each of us feels secure and safe, and older adults are no exception. They’re familiar with where things are located and they enjoy following their own unique routines. They may have friends and family living nearby, who enhance their quality of life. Still, if you're starting to feel worried that a senior loved one’s safety in the home might be compromised, it may be time to look into assistance at home.

To determine if help at home for seniors is needed, the Rocklin home care experts at Help at Home Senior Care have compiled the following questions. Review these to help determine whether an older loved one is as safe as possible, or if perhaps the senior might benefit from some added assistance at home:

Weight Loss

• Has the older adult lost weight unintentionally within the past couple of months?
• Can the senior handle grocery shopping and planning and cooking nutritious meals?
• Does the person practice safety in the kitchen, such as remembering to turn off the stove?
• Has the senior started complaining about the way food tastes?
• Is the individual drinking sufficient quantities of water as well as other fluids throughout each day to avoid dehydration, particularly during the warmer summer season?

Personal Hygiene

• Is the elderly individual properly maintaining his/her personal hygiene?
• Can the person deal with the tasks of laundry, bathing, grooming, and using the toilet appropriately?

Medicines

• Does the older adult take prescription drugs or supplements?
• Is the person remembering to take them exactly when and how they are prescribed?
• Can the senior read and comprehend prescription labels, and understand what each medicine is for?
• Is the individual physically able to swallow medications, or otherwise take them as advised (for example, broken or crushed pills, creams, liquids, etc.)?

Home Safety

• Is the home free from clutter, which could present a tripping and falling risk?
• Could the senior call for help in the event of a fall?
• Are there grab bars in the bathroom, and are handrails on stairways installed correctly?
• Is there adequate light to allow the senior to safely get up at night to go to the bathroom or kitchen?
• Have you seen any cuts, scrapes, burns, or bruises that could have been the result of a fall or other unexplained accident?
• Is the kitchen neat and safe for preparing meals?

Psychological, Emotional, and Cognitive Issues

• Does the older adult seem to be depressed or anxious?
• Is the individual remaining socially active as frequently as possible?
• If the senior practices a religion, is he or she going to programs or services that are of interest?
• Is the senior taking pleasure in pastimes that have been interesting in the past?
• Is the senior loved one having memory issues? Uncommonly loud or distressed?
• Are financial affairs in order?

Determining the answers to questions such as these might seem overwhelming, but Help at Home Senior Care is here to provide support. Our experienced elder care team can evaluate your loved one’s situation and suggest solutions, providing you and your loved one peace of mind. Our expertly trained and knowledgeable senior care staff provide a variety of home care services, including light housekeeping, companionship, preparing nutritious meals, and so much more.

Contact us at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about our in-home care in Rocklin, CA and nearby areas, and to see how our experienced care staff can provide the help at home for seniors necessary to keep them safe and thriving. For a full list of all of the communities where we provide care, please visit our Service Area page.