How Do I Know if My Spouse Needs Home Care?

Sometimes when a spouse ages, it can be a shockingly quick transformation. In a short period of time, their physical appearance or mental capacity rapidly declines and you have no doubt that you can no longer provide the assistance they need to remain living safely at home. For others, however, the decline is more gradual and less obvious.

Maybe you notice they walk a little slower, have trouble getting up from a chair, or tire more easily. Although all of those things are a natural part of aging, they can eventually make it difficult for a senior to maintain their independence. But, how do you know if it’s time to seek the help of a professional caregiver who can give them the care that you can’t?

The following are some questions to ask yourself if you’re concerned about whether or not your spouse needs extra care. If you can answer yes to one or more of them, he or she may benefit from in-home care services provided by a home health care company:

• Are you sensing a decline in their personal hygiene?
• Do you notice any unusual bruising or skin tears? 
• Do they appear unsteady when walking or have difficulty getting in or out of a chair?  Can they put their shoes on? Have they had any recent falls?
• Do you sense a lack of interest or ability in keeping up with housekeeping?
• Are they losing track of their medications, or not taking recommended doses?
• Are they driving dangerously or do they easily become lost in familiar areas?
• Have they stopped preparing meals or eating at regular times, or missing them completely?
• Are they leaving the stove on or cigarettes burning?

How can home health care help?

Caring for a spouse can be challenging, particularly if you’re struggling with issues related to aging, too.  Personal care and companionship services can help your spouse—and, perhaps, you as well—manage daily lives so they can be independent, safe, and comfortable at home. Professional in-home caregivers such as home health aides (HHAs) or certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can provide ongoing assistance with what are commonly called activities of daily living (ADLs), such as:

• Bathing, grooming, using the toilet, and dressing
• Meal planning and preparation
• Light housekeeping, laundry, and running errands
• Medication reminders and picking up prescriptions
• Escorting to appointments or meetings, helping with activities or hobbies, and general companionship

A reputable home health care company, like BAYADA, will provide caregivers who are experienced and trained to care for seniors in their homes. They should also offer a variety of scheduling and payment options so your spouse can receive as much or as little care as they need. Welcoming a caregiver into your home can give you the peace of mind you need to know that you and your spouse can remain together—the way it’s meant to be.