If the roles have reversed between you and your parents, with you becoming the caregiver, it's time to think about their changing needs. It may be working out for you to be the primary caregiver, but there may come a time when it becomes necessary to hire in-home care services for your parents. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know when that time arrives, especially when it comes to your parents.
You want to think that they'll live forever and that they'll always be able to provide for their own needs. However, the time is going to come when your parents require in-home assistance. In fact, they may have already reached that point. Take a look at the list below. If any of those situations apply to your parents, it's time to arrange for in-home assistance for them.
They Forget to Take Their Medication
If your parents are suffering from medical conditions that require treatment, it's crucial that they take their medication as prescribed. However, as people age, their memory can fade, and when it does, it can be difficult for them to remember when to take their medication. If your parents aren't taking their medication as prescribed, it's time to arrange for in-home care. One way to determine whether your parents are taking their medication as prescribed is to monitor the dosage. If your parents are running out of medication before it's time, or they still have pills left when it's time for a refill, they need in-home assistance right away.
They Can No Longer Drive Safely
If your parents are missing out on their doctor's appointments or are low on food because they can no longer drive themselves around, they would benefit from the assistance of an in-home healthcare provider. Their in-home care provider will make sure that they get to their doctor's appointments and will take them to the grocery store as needed. That way, you'll no longer need to worry about their transportation needs.
They Need Assistance with Ambulation
If your parents have begun to suffer from slip and fall, or trip and fall injuries, they need someone to be with them on a full-time basis now. Injuries related to falls can be particularly dangerous for the elderly, especially when it comes to broken hips. To make sure your parents have the assistance they need with their ambulatory needs, you'll need to arrange for in-home care for them.
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