When loved ones get older, it can be difficult to know when they might need more assistance at home. Ensuring the safety and well-being of seniors requires identifying the warning signs that point to this need, and geriatric care management services can help.
The information below provides a clearer picture of the signs that indicate seniors may need more help and how geriatric care management provides this help.
Decline in Appearance and Personal Hygiene
If family members observe a reduction in their loved one’s hygiene or appearance, it may indicate they are having difficulty with their regular self-care routine. Geriatric care managers can assist by evaluating the activities of daily living of the loved one and working with home care providers to guarantee the provision of personal care services.
Difficulties Following Medication Routine
An accumulation of unneeded medicines, or missed doses, or uncertainty about medications can all be warning signs that a loved one is having trouble effectively managing their medication. If left untreated, this can result in major health issues. The good news is that with geriatric care management in place, they can collaborate with medical professionals to develop a plan for managing medications. This might include setting up pill organizers, medication reminders, or even pharmacy services that handle and deliver prescriptions.
Recurrent Falls or Problems with Mobility
A loved one’s mobility and balance may be declining if family members see they are having trouble getting around or notice signs of frequent falls, such as bruising. Since these issues can lead to bigger problems, it’s important to work with geriatric care management to assess the home and learn about modifications that need to be made, such as improved lighting, reducing tripping hazards, and installing grab bars in the bathroom.
Messy Living Area
Along with not being able to take care of themselves, they may also struggle with caring for their home. Signs that point to a need for more help include dishes piling up in the kitchen, a noticeable need for vacuuming or dusting, and increased clutter throughout the home. When this happens, a geriatric care manager can explore home care options with family members to ensure the correct assistance is provided.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Dramatic weight loss, a decreased appetite, or irregular eating patterns may raise concerns, as it can mean that seniors are having trouble making meals or taking care of their nutritional requirements. Geriatric care managers can plan for home care to assist in this area, as well as provide an evaluation of nutritional needs.
When it comes to meeting the special needs of seniors, geriatric care management is essential. It offers a comprehensive approach to care that combines medical, social, and emotional support to improve seniors’ quality of life. This allows seniors to retain their freedom while getting the support they require and remain in their homes. If family members see any of the red flags mentioned above or have other concerns, it’s important to talk with the medical team and inquire about geriatric care management.
Sources: https://des.az.gov/featured-story/seven-signs-elderly-parents-need-more-support-home
https://seniorsathome.jfcs.org/time-home-care-know-signs/
https://www.parentgiving.com/blogs/caregiving/10-signs-a-senior-may-need-assistance-with-daily-living
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/info-2020/geriatric-care-manager.html
If you or an aging loved one are considering Geriatric Care Management Services in New Providence NJ, please contact the caring staff at Helping Hands Homecare today. Call (908) 418-4299
Helping Hands Homecare provides Senior Home Care Services throughout Northern and Central New Jersey, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside, Short Hills, Millburn, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Kenilworth, Chatham, Madison, Metuchen, and surrounding areas.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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