Caregivers help seniors and people with special needs go about their daily lives. Depending on the individual’s needs, a caregiver may assist with a variety of tasks such as grocery shopping, bathing, eating, and taking medications. If you’re wondering whether your loved one would benefit from in-home care, look out for these signs.

How to Tell If Your Loved One Needs a Caregiver

1. Constant Clutter

If your loved one’s home or living space is constantly dirty or cluttered, it may be time to call an in-home care agency. Sometimes, a person with a messy living space just needs to be taught or reminded how to tidy up.

However, if the state of the space doesn’t change or worsens, a caregiver can help with daily housekeeping, as these tasks can become too overwhelming for your loved one.

2. Poor Hygiene

Frequent bad breath, body odor, unkempt hair, and dirty clothes are usually signs that a person can’t tend to their personal hygiene on their own. Caregivers are trained to help clients in a variety of essential hygiene tasks, such as brushing teeth, bathing, and wearing clean clothes. 

3. Unopened Mail or Unpaid Bills 

Piles of unread mail, unpaid bills, and late payment notices may seem like a sign of irresponsibility. However, many physical and mental limitations can make it difficult to open the mail and pay bills. A caregiver will make sure your loved one’s mail isn’t forgotten. 

4. Insufficient Food

Spoiled, rotten food, or a lack of food, typically signals that a person is struggling to visit the grocery store. Whether the problem stems from physical or mental difficulties, a caregiver can provide your loved one with plenty of fresh, nutritious meals. 

5. Mood Changes

If your loved one is sad, stressed, or uninterested in socializing or participating in activities they enjoyed, their mental health may be diminishing. Sometimes, seniors and people with special needs experience sadness and anxiety because they feel isolated and overwhelmed.

A caregiver can help alleviate these issues by assisting the person with daily tasks and ensuring they get adequate socialization. They can accompany your senior to an elderly center to socialize, for instance.

If your loved one might need a caregiver, turn to the team at Deer Valley Home Health Services. Based in Berkeley, MO, these in-home care specialists have been assisting seniors and people with special needs with daily tasks for over a decade. Serving families throughout St. Louis and St. Charles, they empower people of all ages to live safely from the comfort of their own homes. Learn more about their services online and call (314) 355-3679 to discuss your needs.