Home care can be complex. It can be confusing to know what is needed for seniors who are dealing with the challenges of aging .

Here are some tips for caring for loved ones at home.
 
Golden Years Gone Sour
 
If your parent is over 65, he or she could still have many productive years ahead, but you should monitor their health carefully as they age.  Monitoring their health includes being aware of changes in physicality, cognition and moods. As we get older we lose muscle tone and heighten our chances of falls which breaks bones and causes lacerations that require stitches. That's why it is important to remind them to use cane or walker when necessary and take stairs slowly. Changes in cognition and mood can sometimes be attributed to dementia or depression, but those changes could also be a side effect of the medication that is prescribed to treat other conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
 
Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
 
There are many physical and behavioral symptoms that should not be ignored if your loved one is older than 65:       

• Falls – If they have fallen more than once, it's time for you to take action. Have them regularly checked by their doctor and make sure they get back up slowly after falling.
• Incontinence – It's important for seniors over age 65 to monitor how often they use the bathroom because incontinence may indicate a larger problem such as bladder infection, urinary tract infection or chronic constipation.
• Increase in sleep patterns – It's also important to monitor how much they are sleeping because if the number of hours increase over 6-8 hours that could indicate a serious health issue.          

  
If your parent has become increasingly unable to manage their personal care and hygiene such bathing, eating or taking medication., it could be time to step in for their own good.
 
Home Caregiving Can Be Challenging
 
There are many ways to care for a senior at home. Some people may need assistance with medication management or tasks such as laundry or cooking. In other cases, the person needs total assistance in performing daily activities like bathing and dressing. For situations when your loved ones cannot take care of themselves you must hire a professional caregiver from an agency who specializes in offering in-home care services .  

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