If your elderly parents want to live at home, they’ll likely require extra care. However, if you’re the one caring for them, it could be a lot to handle on your own. When this happens, it’s worth hiring a home health care agency to help. Here are some signs you need an aide. 

How to Tell if Your Parents Can Benefit From Home Health Care

1. Frequent Accidents

It’s common for elderly people to have accidents now and again. However, if you’ve had to come over multiple times to help a parent get up or take them to the hospital with injuries, they likely need extra help. One in four senior Americans falls every year, and every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. These accidents can be serious and require quick intervention.

2. Unhealthy Diet

You might notice that your parents are losing weight or the same food is in the fridge every time you come over and it’s starting to spoil. Some seniors have trouble cooking for themselves, which leads to nutritional deficiencies. A home health care worker will cook healthy food for your parents, ensuring they get enough to eat.

3. Poor Personal Hygiene 

When you come over, you might see that your parents have greasy hair or long fingernails. They might smell like they haven’t bathed, changed their clothes, or put on deodorant in a while. These signs indicate that their personal hygiene is slipping due to mobility issues or a depressed mood. A home health aide will provide a helping hand and company, helping them with loneliness. 

4. Memory Loss

About 40% of people ages 65 and older experience memory impairment, and 1% of these people will get dementia. Little slip-ups are normal, like forgetting where they put their glasses. However, look for more serious signs like asking the same question frequently, mixing words up, and misplacing items in inappropriate places, such as putting the shampoo in the fridge.

When you need a home health care aide, contact Deer Valley Home Health Services. They offer quality care that’s personalized to each client. They have locations in Berkeley, St. Charles, and St. Louis, MO, and they’ve been serving the area since 2005. Visit their website to learn more, or call (314) 355-3679 to work with a team member to find a plan that fits your needs.