As people age, they often need someone around them to help take care of them. Depending on the age and abilities of your loved one, they may be able to stay in their own home as long as they have someone to help them with the things they can’t accomplish on their own.
While many people might ideally want a family member to be able to do this, there are many circumstances that can make this an impossibility. In situations like this, a professional caregiver will be hired. There are many organisations that provide such caregiving services, either in their own medical and senior care centres, or if a home environment is preferred, then in the home. Service providers of this kind, like Gary and Mary West PACE, often strive to understand the unique needs of each individual who is under their care. When reaching out to such services, initial communication becomes important to establish the sort of care that is required for your loved one, and also to get an idea of their management and treatment styles. A caregiver should be understanding and compassionate, ready to take appropriate action under a number of circumstances.
However, just because someone’s a caregiver doesn’t mean they’re the right caregiver for your loved one. So if you’re worried that the person or people who are caring for your loved one aren’t doing right by them, here are three signs that you should be on the lookout for that will indicate the need for a new caregiver.
They Don’t Seem To Feel Comfortable In Their Own Home
Many things could be happening that could signify your loved one being abused, neglected, or simply not meshing well with the caregiver they currently have. One of the earliest signs that you might notice is with their personality or temperament.
Kathy Macaraeg, a contributor to DailyCaring.com, shares that it’s a bad sign if your loved one isn’t spending time in the main areas of their home or whatever space they’re living in. This could mean that they’re trying to avoid someone for some reason. If they don’t seem to feel comfortable in their own home, it’s likely that something happened or is happening that they don’t like.
You See Signs Of Neglect
Something else that should be concerning to you is if you notice signs of neglect when visiting your loved one or spending time in their home. According to HelpGuide.org, some of the most common signs of neglect include things like losing weight or being dehydrated, unsanitary living conditions, bedsores, and just general uncleanliness. Especially if these are the express duties of your loved one’s caregiver, any of the above could be signs that they aren’t taking care of your loved one as they should.
If you’re noticing these signs, it might be time to consider hiring a new caregiver or exploring other care options. Many caregivers jobs in philadelphia (or elsewhere) are available through reputable agencies that prioritize quality care and proper training. These agencies tend to have strict hiring processes and provide ongoing education to ensure their caregivers are well-equipped to handle various care situations. By choosing a caregiver through a professional agency, you can have greater confidence in the level of care your loved one receives. It’s important to remember that quality care can make a significant difference in your loved one’s overall well-being and quality of life.
Unexplained Injuries
Although the elderly can and often do hurt themselves just by going about their normal routine, unexplained injuries or injuries that your loved one tries to hide from you could be another sign that they aren’t being well cared for.
Not only this, but Dr. William, Blahd, a contributor to WebMD.com, shares that injuries that happen consistently could be a sign that your loved one is being physically abused by those who are meant to be caring for them.
If you’ve noticed any of the above-mentioned signs surrounding your loved one and their caregiver, consider speaking with your loved one, their caregiver, and a lawyer about rectifying the situation.