Learn About In-Home Care: Resources for Families & Caregivers

The need for in-home care usually shows up in small changes before a big event. Watch for:

• Missed meals or spoiled food in the fridge, or noticeable weight loss
• Unopened mail, unpaid bills or late notices piling up
• A home that's harder to keep up: laundry, dishes or clutter that used to be handled
• Changes in personal hygiene: wearing the same clothes, skipping showers
• Bruises, near-falls or trouble getting up from a chair
• Missed appointments or forgotten medication reminders
• Loneliness or withdrawal from friends, hobbies or church
• Unsafe driving: new dents, getting lost on familiar routes

One sign alone isn't a crisis. But if you're seeing several, it's a good time to talk about support, before an emergency makes the decision for you. Senior care at home can start small, even a few hours a week.

Bringing up in-home care can feel like you're taking away your parent's independence. In practice, the right help is often what protects their independence and lets them keep aging in place.

• Pick a calm moment. Not during a holiday, right after a fall, or in front of the whole family.
• Lead with what they want. 'You've said you want to stay in this house. Let's figure out how to make that work.'
• Talk about specifics, not labels. 'Someone to help with groceries and cooking' lands better than 'a caregiver.'
• Start small. Suggest a trial: a few hours a week of companionship or help with errands.
• Let them have a say. Involve them in choosing the schedule and meeting the caregiver.
• Let go of the guilt. Getting help isn't giving up on your parent. It's making sure they're safe while you stay their son or daughter, not only their caregiver.

Our free Conversation Starter guide (see Resources below) includes sample phrases for this talk.

According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older report a fall each year. Many falls can be prevented with simple changes at home:

• Remove loose rugs, cords and clutter from walkways
• Add bright lighting to hallways, stairs and bathrooms, including night lights
• Install grab bars near the toilet and in the shower or tub
• Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen
• Put everyday items on lower shelves so step stools aren't needed
• Make sure stairs have sturdy handrails on both sides
• Encourage well-fitting, non-slip shoes (not socks or loose slippers)
• Ask their doctor about a fall-risk check, vision exam and medication review

A caregiver can also help day to day by walking alongside your loved one, keeping the home tidy and noticing new safety concerns early.

Every care plan is different, but a typical visit might look like this:

Throughout the day, the caregiver keeps an eye out for changes and keeps the family updated.