One of the biggest threats that aging seniors face often comes from themselves. Self neglect happens when someone is not taking care of themselves like they should. They might stop taking their trash out, stop eating, not take medications like they are supposed to, or something else along these lines. There can be a number of reasons why this happens. Depression can be a very big problem for the elderly. Dementia can also play a factor. Sometimes, it can be multiple factors that play into self neglect. Regardless of the reason why, when a senior is suffering from something like this, some sort of intervention is needed to get them the help that they need.
Self neglect is a very real problem. Oftentimes, Adult Protective Services (APS) must be involved in order to help keep the senior citizen in question safe. Obviously, this is not a scenario that anyone wants to be in. However, it is sometimes necessary in order to keep someone safe.
In-home care is not a replacement for APS if this is called for. However, it can help to avoid this need or even supplement the assistance that APS will require. An in-home caregiver is there to help an elderly individual with their activities of daily living and make sure that the basics are getting taken care of. A caregiver can help with meals, bathing, taking care of small messes, and even companionship.
It’s important to note that if you have a loved one that APS is involved with, it’s important to be in open communication with the case worker and comply with anything that is required. This isn’t an indication that someone is in trouble, but rather a safety net to make sure that your loved one is kept safe.
We’re here to help. If you have a loved one that needs a little bit of help getting through each day safely, in-home care might be exactly the support that is needed. Sometimes, the traction that a caregiver provides is the difference between a happy and healthy life and a need for an intervention. An in-home caregiver can provide support in many of the places that would necessitate a call to protective services in the first place, without the legal issues that can be involved.
Be sure to check with a doctor before making arrangements for any sort of senior care. Some sorts of care are better than others depending on the physical needs present. In-home care is helpful for a lot of people, but it’s not perfect for everyone. A doctor can help point you in the right direction. Starting in the right place will help to make the entire process easier. And if there is evidence of neglect in place, a doctor can make sure that there is no health issues in place that need any sort of further treatment or attention.
Either way, we can help get you pointed in the right direction. If in-home care isn’t what’s best, we can help get you pointed in the right direction during a free consultation. Give us a call today to get started.
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