How do you know when it’s time to look for respite care for your loved ones? Sometimes the answer is easy. Your mother has hip replacement surgery and you are physically unable to care for her during rehabilitation. Or your father has a stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed and in need of professional care. But there are plenty of times when the answer isn’t so cut and dried. With aging parents, mobility and dementia are issues that occur gradually over time.

Our caregivers at Piedmont Home Care are professionally trained to come to your home and care for your loved ones with the same compassion you show yourself. Here are a few tips from our professionals to help you decide if the time is right for respite care.

1. Go with your loved ones to their doctor’s appointments. Even if they don’t need you to drive them, it’s a good idea to accompany them to get a good picture of their health and progress.

2. Watch for changes in your loved one’s behavior. If they are missing dates with friends, forgetting to pay the bills, or having trouble remembering when to take their medicine, it might be time to help with daily activities.

3. Pay attention to appearance. When you start to see noticeable weight loss or poor hygiene, those are signs your oved one could be having trouble with daily activities such as showering or cooking meals.

4. Be aware of problems with mobility. Is your loved one getting short of breath when walking from one room to the next? Have they had a couple of falls? Having a caregiver around can help maintain a safe environment and assist your loved one when necessary.

5. Assess your own state of well-being. If you’re a primary caregiver, it could be time for some help for your own sake. One study found that 41% of caregivers experienced mood swings and depression as a result of their labors. If you’re experiencing irritability, moodiness, depression or exhaustion, it might be time to look for help to take some of the load off of you.

It can be hard to ask for help, especially when you feel obligated to care for your loved ones, but it is important for their health and safety as well as your mental health to ask for help when you need it. If you’re looking for help, call on the trusted professionals at Piedmont Home Care.

Questions about our services? Call us today at (336) 724-1197, or contact us online at this link: https://www.piedmonthomecare.com/contact-us/