How Caregivers Monitor and Protect Seniors

Here’s how our caregivers closely monitor the seniors in our care to make sure they stay safe and give families peace of mind

Your parents may be enjoying their golden years, but as time passes, age-related issues might naturally arise. Maybe Mom has a slowly progressing eye condition that interferes with her ability to drive. Or Dad randomly forgets your name. Of course, it could be nothing, or he may be experiencing the early stages of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

When you start to notice these signs, it’s natural to worry. Your instinct may be to step in and care for your parent or perhaps move them into your home. But you can’t neglect your other needs, such as your family and career. And most seniors prefer to age in place in their own home. Too many pressures on family caregivers can cause exhaustion or even burnout.

At Senior Home Care by Angels, our care providers ease caregiving demands for families throughout. While providing in-home care, they can be your eyes and ears when you’re not available.

Threats Against Seniors: Illness, Depression, and Falls

The natural aging process can expose your parent to a range of health issues, and certain conditions might remain undiagnosed for a long time. Early detection is the key to better health outcomes. While our home care specialists are not medical professionals, they can recognize initial symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and other illnesses.

The elderly can be prone to depression because of multiple medical conditions along with their mostly homebound status. Our caregivers will work hard to foster a positive attitude in your elderly loved one. If there is a problem, you won’t lose precious time before it’s uncovered.

The following questions can uncover undiagnosed depression:

• Is your loved one sad or in an “empty” mood?

• Have you noticed a significant decrease or increase in appetite?

• Does he or she sleep too much? Or not enough?

• Have they lost interest in enjoyable activities?

• Do they have difficulty concentrating or making decisions?

• Are they fatigued or do they have low energy?

• Has your loved one been thinking about death or suicide?

If you believe your loved one is depressed, seek help promptly. Medications and behavioral treatments can alleviate depression and improve quality of life.

Seniors are also prone to falls. Health conditions, poor eyesight, dehydration, clutter, dim lighting, and the lack of safety equipment such as grab bars can pose risks. A serious fall can mean weeks or months of recovery and rehabilitation. At Senior Home Care by Angels, our home care providers will “fall-proof” the home as part of the free initial consultation and address fall risks before it’s too late.

Outside Threats: Scam Artists and Fraud

Isolated seniors can become easy prey for fraud. An unsuspecting elderly adult is a target for scam artists. Our caregivers can help make sure your elderly loved one doesn’t end up a victim.

Every day, scammers try to steal personal identity information, and they hope confused seniors will comply. Our home care providers can stop potential criminal activity intended for your loved one. Simply having someone there often deters opportunists.

If you're interested in learning how our caregivers help seniors stay safe as they age in place, contact your nearest Senior Home Care by Angels office today.