Unfortunately, many delay considering Home Care until a health crisis occurs, only to discover the lengthy process of obtaining support from the Home Care Package system—resulting in a lack of funding and assistance for over 6-12 months while awaiting for funding to come through.
The first signs of memory issues may include missing appointments or forgetting to turn off appliances. Cognitive difficulties could also show up as memory lapses, getting lost, struggling to recall conversations or repeating information over again.
Have you noticed mood swings, disorientation, or withdrawing from regular activities? This may indicate emotional or health concerns. A previously otherwise happy and balanced loved one who becomes irritable, low in mood or overly anxious may be a sign that they're struggling to keep up, and need extra help.
Obvious changes in grooming and personal hygiene, or frequently wearing the same clothes, may suggest challenges with daily tasks. These signs could indicate someone experiencing physical limitations or cognitive decline.
Has the home become cluttered or unkempt when previously the home and living spaces were well taken care of. Expired food, or unsafe conditions are other signs and can signal difficulty managing household tasks, which can add to health and safety risks.
If a person withdraws from hobbies or social activities they once enjoyed, it is often a sign of depression, along with other indicators like low energy, or feeling overwhelmed. Social connection and companionship are important to overall health and wellbeing, and can be accessed as part of home care services.
Empty fridges, overreliance on takeaway, or skipping meals often show that a person is struggling with meal preparation – and can obviously lead to compromised nutrition and health.
A lack of engagement with family or friends could be a sign of a number issues such as hearing loss, mobility challenges, or depression. Social isolation can exacerbate health issues, so it is important to understand the root cause.