Learn what signs to look for that indicate a senior may benefit from in-home assistance. For more detailed articles and information about senior safety and senior health, visit the Ann Arbor In-Home Care Blog at http://www.rightathome.net/washtenaw/blog/.

1. Signs an Aging Loved One Might
Need In-Home Assistance
Learn what signs to look for that indicate a senior may benefit from in-home assistance.
 Hygiene. Make sure that your loved one is continuing to look after his personal appearance and hygiene as well as he used to. Warning signs could include wearing the same clothes over and over or neglecting to brush his teeth.
 Medication Management. If he is taking medications, watch to make sure he remembers when to take them, and that he knows what each is for.
 Diet. If he is not eating properly, he may be losing weight.
 Household. If the home looks that it is not getting its usual care, it could be that regular, simple maintenance chores are not being performed.
o Also keep a lookout for burned pots and pans, as well as food that is past its expiration date or molding.
 Finances. Keep an eye out for piles of unpaid—or even unopened—bills. Avoiding tasks such as this could be a sign that once manageable tasks have become overwhelming for your loved one.
 Pets. Make sure that your loved one is taking proper care of a pet.
 Mobility. Observe to see if he is having difficulty with mobility in the house. For example, do you notice that he is having difficulty with steps or that he is avoiding them?
If you notice any of these signs in your loved one, it is time to speak up. You may not want to breach the subject during the holidays, but don’t wait too long.
Right at Home of Ann Arbor, a leading provider of senior care assistance in Metro Detroit, Michigan, offers wellness services to help aging loved ones manage their medication. For more information, call (734) 971- 5000 or visit www.rightathome.net/washtenaw.