Dinner, check. Kids' homework, check. Ironing for tomorrow, check. Now it's 10 p.m. and you haven't been to visit your loved one who relies on you for care and companionship. Managing your own household and responsibilities, as well as someone else's, can take a lot of time and resources you may not always have the energy to give. But suggesting outside help to your loved one isn't exactly at the top of your to-do list either. "Families and friends of seniors in need don't like to see their loved ones struggle unnecessarily, but often find it difficult to talk to them about getting some outside assistance," says Kristin Worthington, co-owner of Home Helpers Senior Care of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Most people aren't willing to give up their independence and privacy, no matter their age. Worthington suggests easing into the conversation. "Share your concerns with your loved one in a thoughtful way, and let him or her know that making sure they're safe and comfortable is the top priority, but that you also want to respect their wishes," she says. Then, explore your options. Agencies like Home Helpers provide seniors with compassionate assistance within the comfort of their own homes and can assist with any and all tasks whether they are needed a few hours a week or 24 hours a day. Home Helpers Senior Care is CQA (Caregivers Quality Assurance) Certified and the compassionate and reliable caregivers are hand-picked and trained for your loved one's specific situation. You've got a lot on your plate. And while caring for your loved one is a priority, why not explore options that will improve his or her quality of life and keep you going full steam ahead. Before you bring up the subject of outside assistance, it's important to assess your loved one's condition and identify any areas of concern. Home Helpers Senior Care offers this list of ten areas to keep an eye on: 1. Health
Has your loved one recently been diagnosed with a disease or medical condition, or suffered an illness or injury? These things can affect how your loved one functions on a daily basis. 2. Driving
Are your loved one's vision, hearing and/or reflexes not what they used to be? If these things are impaired, it increases the risk that he or she may be involved in a car accident.3. Nutrition
How is your loved one eating? If his or her meals are too small or not well-balanced, he or she will have problems maintain a steady, healthy weight. Also, take a look at the food in the fridge to see if it's within expiration dates. 4. Hygiene
Is your loved having trouble keeping himself or herself clean and neat? You may find that his or her overall appearance, smell and the ability to wear appropriate clothing for the weather are suffering. You can also check the bed linens, towels and laundry for cleanliness. 5. Behavior
Has your loved one's demeanor changed? If he or she is depressed, overly anxious or uncharacteristically irritable, this may be a sign that something more serious than old age is developing, especially if he or she has difficulty remembering names, places and current events. 6. Daily Tasks
How long is it taking your loved one to do basic daily tasks such as grocery shopping, cleaning and preparing meals? These things may have become too challenging to do on his or her own.7. Medication Is your loved one taking all his or her medications in the correct dosage and frequency? See if he or she is aware of any changes to prescriptions or of any that need refilled. 8. Finances
What is the condition of your loved one's finances? He or she may be having trouble paying bills and balancing the checkbook.9. Mail
Is the mail stacking up? Check through it to see if your loved one has missed anything that requires a response. 10. Safety
Is your loved one remembering to lock doors and windows? Watch to see if he or she remembers to turn off appliances and extinguish candles or cigarettes. Home Helpers Senior Care is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is proud to serve Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Visit its website here.