BrightStar Care Helping Families Determine if Loved Ones Require Home Care

BrightStar Care of Central St. Louis County, MO, for years has focused on home care, helping people decide when it’s time to bring in a home care specialist. “It can be difficult for family members to recognize the signs that their loved one may need assistance in the home,” said Charlie Scarlett, owner of BrightStar Care of Central St. Louis County, MO. “This often happens when they visit at the holidays.”

To help families recognize the markers of when it’s time to bring in a home care specialist for a loved one, Scarlett lists the following three tips:

No. 1: Look at your loved one’s physical appearance. “Are they dressed and wearing clean clothing? Are they clean, bathed and brushing their teeth? Have they lost or gained weight? Do they have difficulty in walking?” asked Scarlett.

No. 2: Assess their mood and listen to what they say. “Your loved one’s daily mood can also be a marker. Signs include a loss of interest in tasks, activities and/or friends, as well as skipping regular physician checkups,” added Scarlett. “During conversation, does your loved one exhibit short-term memory loss? Do they repeat the same things over and over?”

No. 3: Check the state of their home. “Assess whether it’s clean, well-maintained and if housework is being neglected,” stressed Scarlett. “Also, look for other tell-tale signs, such as scorched pots, suspicious or unsafe old food in the fridge or cabinets, inappropriately hidden treasure or trash, etc.”

“Once you have made an assessment and determined that companion or personal assistance would be appropriate, be proactive and create an action plan,” concluded Scarlett. “It’s up to you to take the lead and offer to research answers, options and to follow up. Describe care in a positive way, and explain how it is a solution that prolongs independence.”

About BrightStar Care of Central St. Louis County, MO

BrightStar Care of Central St. Louis County, MO, provides quality home care, caregivers and medical staffing solutions to families and businesses in the St. Louis County area. Its home care agency services include senior care, skilled home care, transportation services, child care, personal care, Alzheimer’s & Dementia care and companion care. The office is located at 2190 S. Mason Rd., Suite 204, St. Louis, MO 63131.

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