Caring Harrogate Company Helps Families to Spot the Signs

Over the Easter weekend, a time when families often get together,  local ‘care at home’ company Home Instead Harrogate, Ripon and Thirsk are promoting their “Spot the Signs” campaign which aims to help families recognise early indicators that an elderly loved one may need additional support to continue living safely and comfortably at home. By identifying these signs early, families can take proactive steps to ensure their loved ones receive the necessary care and assistance.

Key Signs to Watch For

Home Instead highlights several signs that may suggest an older adult requires extra support:​

• Changes in Personal Hygiene and Appearance: Neglecting grooming habits, wearing soiled or mismatched clothing, or noticeable body odour may indicate difficulty managing daily self-care routines.
• Unkempt Living Environment: A previously tidy home becoming disorganised, with a build-up of dirty dishes, spoiled food, or stacks of unopened mail, may signal difficulties with managing household tasks or emotional struggles. ​
• Poor Nutrition: Sudden changes in eating habits, such as skipping meals or forgetting to eat, noticeable weight fluctuations, or expired food in the fridge, can suggest difficulty in meal preparation or other health-related issues.
• Withdrawal and Isolation: Avoiding family gatherings or social events, reluctance to leave the house, or showing sadness or discomfort in social situations may indicate social isolation, which can lead to loneliness, depression, and physical health problems. ​
• Increased Forgetfulness and Wandering: Forgetting appointments, struggling with daily tasks, or withdrawing from activities once enjoyed can be signs of cognitive decline. ​
• Medication Confusion: Pillboxes that are empty or incorrectly organised, unopened prescriptions, or confusion about medication schedules can result from forgetfulness or cognitive changes. ​
• Cluttered or Unsafe Living Space: Hazards like loose rugs, piles of mail, or unwashed dishes can increase the risk of falls and injuries, indicating a need for assistance with household chores. ​
• Changes in Mood or Behaviour: Shifts in personality, such as increased withdrawal, irritability, or anxiety, may signal underlying issues like loneliness, depression, or early cognitive decline. ​

In a recent Home Instead poll, these are the most common signs that families were concerned about and prompted them to enquire about support for loved ones .

• Memory loss (70%)
• Personal hygiene (48%)
• Medication management (44%)
• Nutrition or weight loss/gain (31%)
• Safety concerns (31%)

Home Instead offers personalised home care services tailored to the unique needs of each client. Their professional carers assist with personal care, household tasks, meal preparation, and provide companionship to reduce feelings of loneliness. They also offer tailored care plans for specific medical, nutritional, social or cognitive needs, ensuring that your loved one maintains their independence and quality of life at home.
If you have noticed these signs in a loved one you can contact Home Instead on 01423 774 490 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/harrogate. For a free ‘Spot the Signs’ checklist, visit www.careconversations.co.uk.