When Is It Time for Home Care?

It can be difficult to know when your aging parent requires home healthcare. Sometimes, a loved one’s needs occur suddenly, while other times, it can be less obvious. How will you know when it’s time for home care? These tips can help you decide if your aging parent needs home healthcare services.

“Starting a conversation early with your loved one is a proactive approach to maintaining their health for years to come,” says Steve Goforth, president of Oxford Home Healthcare.

Tulsa Oklahoma Home Care Services: Oxford Home HealthCare

Look for these five signs that may indicate an elderly family member needs home healthcare. 

1. Forgetfulness or mood changes
   
   If your relative usually enjoys activities and suddenly starts to isolate, this may be a sign of memory problems, depression or another mood disorder. Your family member may be hesitant to tell you about memory loss or feelings of sadness because they don't want to burden you. If your loved one acts withdrawn, sad or anxious, these are additional cues that home care may be a good option. Depression may be especially hard to identify if you do not see your loved one regularly. Contact your relative’s healthcare provider to rule out mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or grief. 
   
   “Elderly family members often won't admit they are depressed, because they fear losing their independence. But the reality is that home care can actually help them maintain their current living situation,” says Goforth...
   
   2) Weight loss or poor appetite
   
   Does your parent have an empty refrigerator or one that contains only spoiled food? Perhaps your loved one doesn't eat at regular intervals or skips meals altogether. These are early signs that your family member may need assistance with food shopping, meal preparation and reminders to eat at mealtime. A home health aide can help cook meals and ensure that your relative is eating nutritious and healthy meals. If your parent is losing weight, this is another sign that help is needed.
   
   3) Lack of personal hygiene
   
   If your parent looks disheveled, unwashed or isn’t combing their hair, it’s time to look carefully at home care options. Sometimes mobility issues are to blame, especially if your relative has trouble standing, walking or accessing medication that's stored out of reach. Your loved one may simply feel too depressed or withdrawn to be concerned about their appearance and hygiene. A home aide can provide a variety of services including bathing, cooking and other daily living activities that your family member can no longer perform on their own.
   
   4) Unexplained falls or bruises
   
   Is your loved one having dizzy spells or problems with their overall balance? Falls are one of the worst problems for elderly people because they can result in broken bones or joint injuries. What’s more, complications from a broken hip can lead to death. In some situations, balance issues may indicate early signs of dementia. In severe cases, falls can even be deadly. That’s why it’s so important to contact your loved one’s healthcare provider and schedule an appointment for a medical exam. 

   
   5) Refusing to take medication
   
   Part of an elderly person’s good health depends on taking their medications as prescribed by their healthcare provider. If your loved one forgets to take medication, throws out their medicine or denies needing it, it’s likely your relative isn't taking the medication regularly. This is another warning sign that home care may be desperately needed. Many home care organizations offer medication assistance programs to help your loved one get the care they need. 
   
   Sometimes, elderly family members are hesitant to share that they are having trouble caring for themselves because they don’t want nursing home care. That’s why it is critical for caregivers to know about home care options and how their relative can benefit from just a few hours of care and assistance each week. 
   
   Having a conversation with your family member doesn’t have to be difficult. When it’s time to talk with your elderly parent about home care, be sure to explain your concerns about their health and well-being. It’s also a good idea to allow them time and space to discuss how they feel about their situation, too. 

Oxford HealthCare is committed to excellence in providing home care services to the elderly and disabled in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the surrounding areas. We invite you to contact us for the best possible plan for your family. Give us a call!

(918) 258-1111

(800) 316-2222

Talking to Parents: Oxford Home HealthCare

As we age, it's inevitable that it will become harder to do things we took for granted when we were younger. While most people wish to remain independent for as long as possible, there comes a time when everyone needs some help and companionship at home.

If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot provide the degree of help required by an older loved one, or you worry about them, it may be time to talk about senior care options.

"You want to be sensitive to the fact that your senior may be resistant to help and see it as a loss of control," says Steve Goforth, President for Oxford HealthCare. "How you approach this discussion is very important."

Here are 10 tips for having a conversation with your loved one about care options.

Tulsa Home Healthcare Services: Oxford Home HealthCare

1. Do your homework

Before beginning any discussion of senior care or at home care in Tulsa, you need to understand the options and which ones are viable for your loved one's situation. These include in-home care, independent living communities, assisted living and others. You'll need this information when it's time to suggest care solutions.

2. Let the senior start the discussion

In the course of daily conversation, your loved one may mention it's hard managing medications, preparing meals, cleaning, running errands, or simply getting around. This may be a good time to start talking about their frustrations with getting older. At Oxford HealthCare, we can assist with all of the complexities of managing your lifestyle at home.

3. Listen

As they explain their challenges, pay attention to what you're hearing. Understanding where their problems and risks lie can guide your solutions for helping them. Let them know you take their concerns seriously. Let them know there is help. Let them know they don’t have to leave their home.

4. Make suggestions

Problem-solve with your loved one, talking about ways to get them the help they need. This should be a conversation, not a monologue. If they seem upset, be understanding. Different people react differently, and if you're met with silence, don't assume they're not listening. The services at Oxford HealthCare can be packaged according to their needs, wants and desires.

5. Don't push

If you meet resistance at first — and you certainly may — don't press the issue. You're planting seeds that will take some time to grow. Unless you're immediately concerned for your loved one's safety or well-being, let them think it over for a bit. Our team of professionals are also great at explaining the ins and outs of home healthcare. Oxford HealthCare is here to assist in any way you see fit.

6. Be empathetic

The thought of giving up one's independence can be scary. Let them talk about those fears, if they're willing to, and don't dismiss them as silly. It's a difficult thing to admit they need help with activities they've done independently all their lives. At Oxford HealthCare, we have the ability to label our services as a helping hand when you need it most. A companion or friend to provide the level of home healthcare your loved one needs. We’re not here to step on any toes. Just here to help.

7. Be reassuring

Explain you want them to have as much independence as possible and to lead the fullest life they can. They deserve to enjoy their lives without having to worry about doing things they find difficult. Your goal is to work with them to find an acceptable solution. We help rid them of daily, light housekeeping, meal prep, and more. But above all, we provide the assistance with their daily healthcare needs like medication management, grooming, and so much more.

8. Recognize your senior may want to stay at home

A study shows that 87 percent of seniors prefer to spend their older years at home in familiar surroundings. Not only are they happier and more fulfilled there, it's usually less expensive. And, at Oxford HealthCare, it’s important to us that your loved one get to stay in their own home as long as possible. We’re available to help them do just that!

9. Involve the senior in the decision-making process

Let your loved one tour any facilities under consideration. If in-home care seems like a viable option, encourage potential caregivers to pay a visit so they can become acquainted with the senior, who will likely express a preference and offer good insight about the available choices. If a facility is out of the question, home healthcare may be a better option. We help seniors remain in their own homes for as long as humanly possible.

10. Maintain a dialogue

Once a decision is made about the type of care and the provider, encourage conversation and feedback during and after the transition. Your loved one should feel free to tell you about any issues or additional needs on an ongoing basis.

Of course, whatever decision you make concerning the type of care and where it's administered should also be based on careful research. You'll want to investigate the credentials of the caregivers and make certain they're qualified to manage the type of care your loved one needs.

"Whether it's a matter of helping a patient recover from a stroke, managing an ongoing condition like dementia or Alzheimer's disease or even just providing day-to-day living assistance, you should be focused on two major factors: skill and compassion," said Goforth for Oxford HealthCare. "Of course, you want well-trained professionals providing needed services for your loved one. But genuine concern elevates competent care to truly outstanding care."

While aging can be difficult, the right kind of help can free us from our day-to-day cares and allow us to enjoy our later years more fully. Working with your loved one to select the right provider can make that goal a reality.

Oxford HealthCare is committed to excellence in providing home healthcare services to the elderly and disabled in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the surrounding areas. We invite you to contact us for the best possible plan for your family. Give us a call!

(918) 258-1111

(800) 316-2222