5 signs your loved one may need care

For most of us in Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley there may come to a time when our loved one or one of our family members needs care. It is often a difficult and daunting time, however when the warning signs are spotted earlier, some prevention measures can be put in place to support your loved one to remain living in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. Here we talk about the 5 common signs that mean it may be time to consider care from Right at Home East Lancashire and Ribble Valley.

• They are struggling to maintain their personal hygiene

If you notice a change in appearance, personal hygiene or notice body odour, it may be a sign that your loved one needs support with their personal care. There are different reasons why someone may be struggling to maintain their usual personal hygiene standards; for instance, they may no longer have their previous physical capabilities; their mental health including depression is impacting their personal care routine or they have simply forgotten to wash and clean themselves daily.

• Changes in weight

If there is a noticeable difference in body weight, this can be a sign that there is a problem. They may not be eating enough and losing weight as a result. This could be caused by difficulty preparing meals, feelings of loneliness or isolation impacting their appetite or forgetting to eat at mealtimes. If you visiting them during meal times it will give you a good indication of their eating habits.

• Other physical and mental changes

If you see other changes e.g. bruises or bumps from falls, this can indicate that it is time to consider care. Mental changes can include mood swings, withdrawal from social situations, or displaying new behaviours that seem out of character. Mental health problems can be experienced by people of all ages, so it is important to check in with your loved ones regularly to understand how they are feeling.

• They are no longer able to perform daily tasks

Another key sign that your loved one may need care is that they are becoming unable to carry out daily tasks. For instance you might notice that their house is becoming very untidy. If they struggle with things such as making a cup of tea, showering, getting dressed or preparing meals, they could benefit from the support of a homecare plan. A good company such as Right at Home East Lancashire will be experienced with these symptoms and will advise you what can be done to help.

• Memory loss

Memory loss is typically associated with dementia. Although it can be a symptom of dementia, that is not always the case. If you are worried your loved one has dementia, it is best to seek advice from your GP.

When treated early, people who are living with dementia can be supported to maintain their independence for longer. For more information, read our blog here:- https://www.rightathome.co.uk/east-lancs-and-ribble-valley/news-item/early-signs-of-dementia/

Who is most likely to need care?

As adults age, it is more likely that they may need some additional support. Older adults may require help with day-to-day tasks, or they may need some companionship and a friendly face to chat to over a cup of tea.

Having the care conversation

Having a conversation with your loved one about care can be daunting, but it is important that you speak openly so you can discuss the options available together, before things deteriorate further. [

How can I check the quality of care services?

• All registered care companies will have an inspection report from CQC (the Care Quality Commission)
• Check their rating on the leading ratings site homecare.co.uk https://www.homecare.co.uk/homecare/listings.cfm/searchtown/Blackburn
• Browse the company’s website and reviews rightathomeeastlancs.com

What type of care services are there?

There are lots of different types of care services. The level of care that is required will depend on the individual needs of your loved one. Typically, when the signs that someone needs care are identified early on, people can be supported to remain in their own homes with the help of quality homecare services. At Right at Home East Lancashire, our services cover but are not limited to:

• Personal Care
• Companionship & Support
• Dementia Care
• Elderly Care
• Live-In Care
• Medication assistance
• Meal preparation

How can we help?

At Right at Home East Lancashire, we can support you and your loved one to develop a unique and personalised care plan for your loved one that meets their needs and supports them to live as fulfilled a life as possible, all in the comfort of their own home. Whether they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren or completing a crossword puzzle, our team will make sure they are supported to keep doing the things they love.

What happens next?

If you think your loved one may need support or for more information on our homecare services, please contact a member of our friendly office team on 01254 658899.