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Young and Ailing: 6 Signs You Need a Home Health Nurse for Your Sick Loved One

Home Health Care Worker and Elderly Man

Young and Ailing: 6 Signs You Need a Home Health Nurse for Your Sick Loved One

It can be a hard question to answer when trying to decide if a home health nurse is needed. When you look at the behavior of your loved one, you might be closer to the answer than you think.

When a loved one is struggling to care for themselves, it can be tough to watch. You want to make sure they are taken care of, safe, and that their wishes are still respected.

It’s also important to note that home health care aides can provide care to people of all ages. This guide has six signs to watch out for that it might be time to get a home health nurse for your family member.

1. Accidents Happen

If you have a loved one that has a physical or mental illness, you may see an increase in the number of accidents that happen in the house. You may find them tripping more, spilling, or having bigger accidents even outside of the home.

If you see an increase in car accidents, falls, or lapses in judgment, these could all be signs that your loved one needs additional help in their home and with everyday tasks.

When more accidents start happening, the sick, injured, or aging person could be getting tripped up in entryways, unable to do everyday tasks, or even putting themselves and others in danger while on the road.

A healthcare provider in their home can help minimize accidents, keep your loved one safe, and help them as much as they need.

2.Eating Habits Change

If you notice that your family member has significantly changed how and what they eat, this could be a sign of a serious problem.

If your loved one is eating less frequently or is missing meals without even noticing, this could be a big red flag in regard to their physical and mental state.

When your loved one is struggling, you’ll likely notice they miss meals, skip eating altogether, forget if they have eaten or not eaten. You may ask them what they ate that day and they will answer with something you know they ate days ago.

With an in-home caregiver, you can have someone help prepare meals, help make sure they aren’t missing meals, and keep them on a healthy track.

3. Decreased Activity Levels

When someone is struggling both mentally and physically, you may start to see them become lethargic, inactive, and withdrawn. You may notice them stop leaving the house or do activities they once loved.

Someone with health issues won’t be able to get out, be social, and stay physically active. A person who used to walk their dog every day may forget they haven’t left the house in days.

A home healthcare provider can help promote physical activity, socialization, and transportation to keep your loved one active and social.

4. Trouble With Personal Hygiene

One of the biggest red flags when it comes to someone struggling to take care of themselves is when their personal hygiene starts to fail.

If your once vibrant and put together loved one stops remembering to take a shower or even brush their teeth, they may need more help than you think.

Someone who is sick, having trouble with mental health, or aging, may not feel the same way they once did about their personal hygiene and appearance. It can be hard for this person to bathe themselves or even brush their hair.

Keeping up with personal hygiene can be one of the home health nursing duties that you put in your job description.

5. The House is a Mess

One of the biggest signs that there is a problem with your family member or friend taking care of themselves is when you see their home start to become messier than usual.

When the lawn gets overgrown, dishes pile up, and garbage is left out, it might be a clear indication that your loved one is having trouble keeping up with everyday life.

Food being left out and messes everywhere are also a hazard. They may start to get insects and rodents coming into their home or they might start to trip over messes in their home.

A caregiver who comes into their home can help keep up with clean up and make sure their home is safe.

6. A decrease in Social Life

If your friend or family member used to enjoy a busy social life and no longer feels like leaving the house, this could be an indication that something is wrong. When depression or anxiety sets in, it can be hard for your loved one to leave the house.

If they are avoiding human interaction and leaving their house, providing in-home healthcare may be a great solution. Not only will your friend be able to interact with someone on a regular basis, but they will also gain true companionship.

A home healthcare provider can do more than just take care of your loved one physically; they can also keep them company, play games, take them on walks, bring them to social gatherings, and even accompany them to things they used to love to do.

The Benefits of Home Care and a Home Health Nurse

The benefits of a home health nurse are almost endless. From companionship to providing a safe and healthy home, an in-home nurse will become like a trusted member of your family.

A nurse that comes into the home of your loved one can help with small household tasks, keep your family member clean, eating well, and make sure their home is tidy and safe.

You love your family and when you see them in distress, it can be tough to watch. Keeping an eye out for some signs that they need more care is one of the best ways you can help.

From running errands to helping around the house, you can find a healthcare provider that can assist as much or as little as you need.

If you’re ready to get more information for your family member or friend, fill out the new patient form here to get started.

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