5 Signs Your Loved One May Need Care at Home

Knowing when a loved one may need care at home isn’t always easy. Changes can happen gradually, and it can be difficult to know whether they’re simply having a few more challenges with everyday life or whether they would benefit from additional support.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that they’re struggling to prepare meals, forgetting appointments, becoming less sociable or finding it harder to manage their personal care.

These changes don’t necessarily mean they need full-time care. Home care can be tailored around an individual’s needs, providing as much or as little support as required while helping them remain independent in their own home.

But what are the signs that someone may benefit from additional support?

Here are five things to look out for.

1. They’re struggling with everyday tasks

One of the most common signs that an elderly person may need care is finding everyday activities more difficult than they used to.

You may notice your loved one struggling with:

• Preparing meals and drink
• Grocery shopping
• Cleaning and household chores
• Laundry
• Getting dressed
• Moving safely around the home
• Managing everyday household tasks

They may also start avoiding activities they previously enjoyed because they have become too difficult or tiring.

Needing help with some daily tasks doesn’t mean someone has lost their independence. In fact, the right home care support can help a person maintain their independence for longer by providing assistance with the things they find difficult.

2. They’re forgetting medication or appointments

Managing medication and appointments can become challenging, particularly when someone has several medications to take throughout the day.

You may notice that your loved one:

• Forgets to take medication
• Isn’t sure whether they’ve taken their medication
• Takes medication at the wrong time
• Frequently misses appointments
• Needs more reminders about important tasks
• Changes in memory and organisation can have many causes, so if you’re concerned about a noticeable or sudden change, it’s important to seek appropriate professional advice.

Depending on an individual’s assessed care needs, home care can provide support with routines, reminders and other everyday activities, helping them feel more confident at home.

3. They’re becoming more isolated

Another potential sign that someone may benefit from care at home is increasing social isolation. Perhaps your loved one has stopped seeing friends, no longer attends their usual activities or is spending much more time alone.

There can be many reasons for this. Reduced mobility, a lack of confidence, bereavement or difficulties getting out and about can all contribute to someone becoming more isolated.

Care isn’t just about personal care and practical tasks. Companionship can be an important part of home care, helping someone maintain social connections and continue enjoying the activities that matter to them.

A carer might accompany someone on a walk, help them attend an appointment or activity, enjoy a cup of tea and conversation with them, or simply provide a friendly face during the day.

4. They’re finding personal care more difficult

Personal care can be an area where changes are particularly noticeable.

Your loved one may begin struggling with:

• Getting in and out of the bath or shower
• Washing and bathing
• Getting dressed
• Using the toilet
• Maintaining personal hygiene
• Preparing for the day

They may also become reluctant to ask for help because they are worried that accepting care means losing their independence. However person-centred home care should be about supporting independence, not taking it away.

A carer can provide appropriate assistance while respecting the person’s privacy, dignity, preferences and routines. The goal is to help someone do as much as they can for themselves, while providing support where it is needed.

5. They’re experiencing more falls or accidents

Falls can be an important indication that someone may need additional support at home.

You may have noticed that your loved one:

• Has recently fallen
• Seems increasingly unsteady
• Uses furniture to support themselves when walking
• Has difficulty getting up after a fall
• Has had accidents in the kitchen or bathroom
• Has become nervous about moving around their home

Even a fall that doesn’t result in a serious injury can affect someone’s confidence and make them less willing to move around.

If you’re concerned about falls, mobility or a sudden change in your loved one’s ability to manage safely at home, seek appropriate professional advice. Healthcare professionals may also be able to recommend ways of reducing risks around the home.

Does needing care mean losing independence?

Absolutely not. One of the biggest concerns families have when considering care is that their loved one will lose their independence. However, the right care at home can actually help someone remain independent for longer.

Rather than taking over everything, a carer can provide support with specific tasks while encouraging the individual to continue doing the things they can manage themselves.

For example, a carer might help someone prepare breakfast but encourage them to make their own lunch, or provide support getting dressed while allowing them to choose what they want to wear.

This is the essence of person-centred care — understanding the individual and providing support around their needs, preferences, routines and goals.

When is it time to consider home care?

There isn’t one particular point at which someone suddenly “needs care”. For some people, a little support with household tasks or companionship may be enough. Others may require assistance with personal care, mobility or more complex care needs.

The important thing is to consider what your loved one needs help with and what they want to continue doing independently. Depending on their circumstances, options may include:

Visiting care

Also known as domiciliary care, visiting care involves a professional carer visiting the person’s home at agreed times to provide support. This could include personal care, help with meals, medication support, companionship and assistance with everyday tasks.

Live-in care

For people who need more continuous support, live-in care provides a carer who lives in the person’s home. This can provide ongoing assistance and companionship while allowing the individual to remain living in familiar surroundings.

Respite care

Respite care can provide temporary support, either for the person receiving care or to give a family carer a well-earned break.

Companionship care

For someone who is becoming isolated or simply wants more company, companionship care can provide social interaction and support with activities and outings.

How can I talk to my loved one about needing care?

This can be one of the hardest parts of the process. We advise to try to avoid making the conversation about what they can no longer do. Instead, focus on what they would like help with and what they want to continue doing.

For example: “What would make things easier for you at home?” or: “Would it help if someone came in to give you a hand with a few things?”

Starting the conversation early can give everyone time to consider the available options without feeling pressured into making an immediate decision.

How Novus Care can help

At Novus Care, we understand that deciding to arrange care for yourself or a loved one can feel daunting. Our approach at Novus Care is centred around the individual. We take the time to understand their needs, preferences, routines and the things that matter to them.

Whether someone needs a little extra help around the home, regular visiting care, companionship or more comprehensive 24/7 live-in care, our aim is to provide support that helps people continue living life their way.

You don’t have to wait until a crisis to explore your care options. If you’ve noticed some of the signs above, having a conversation about care now could help you find the right support before things become more difficult.

Find out more about home care

If you’re considering care for yourself or a loved one, our team is here to help. Find out more about our home care services.

You can also use our Free Care Needs Assessment to help you understand the type of support that may be appropriate.

Call:  0800 138 4030 or email: [email protected]