Signs a Senior Needs Help at Home

How do you know if it is time for in-home care? Look for the red flags listed below.

Changes in Physical Function and Mental Status

• Difficulty keeping track of time
• Sleeping for most of the day
• Poor diet or weight loss
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Changes in mood or extreme mood swings
• Difficulty getting up from a seated position
• Difficulty with walking, balance and mobility
• Unexplained bruising or injuries
• Marks or wear on walls, door jams, furniture and other items being used to help with stability while walking through the home
• Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks
• Forgetfulness, including forgetting to take medications or taking incorrect dosages
• Missing important appointments
• Consistent use of poor judgment (e.g. falling for scams or sales pitches, giving away money)

Poor Personal Hygiene

• Unpleasant body odor
• Infrequent showering or bathing
• A strong smell of urine in the house or on clothing
• Noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care (e.g. unkempt hair, untrimmed nails, lack of oral care, wearing dirty or stained clothing)

Neglecting Household Responsibilities

• Inability to independently complete Instrumental ADLs
• Little or no fresh, healthy food in the fridge
• Dirty house and/or extreme clutter
• Dirty laundry piling up
• Stains or wet spots on furniture or carpet
• Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away
• Stacks of unopened mail or an overflowing mailbox
• Late payment notices, bounced checks and calls from bill collectors
• Utilities being turned off due to missed payments
• Unexplained dents and scratches on their car

Hiring a Home Care Company

If these signs are present, it doesn’t necessarily mean a move to assisted living or a nursing home is required. However, these red flags do indicate that daily supportive care is needed. Use the guide below as a starting point in the process of hiring home care to help you make informed and confident decisions.