5 Signs Your Loved One May Need Home Care Support

Recognising when extra support is needed at home

It can be difficult to know when a loved one needs additional help at home. Many older adults are determined to maintain their independence, but subtle changes in daily life can indicate that extra support could improve safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Here are 5 key signs your loved one may benefit from home care support:

1. Changes in personal hygiene or appearance

If clothes are unwashed, bathing becomes less frequent, or grooming is neglected, it may indicate difficulty managing daily routines.

2. Increased forgetfulness or confusion

Missing medication, forgetting appointments, or repeating questions can be early signs that support is needed.

3. Changes in eating habits

A poorly stocked fridge, weight loss, or reliance on convenience foods may suggest difficulty preparing meals.

4. Household becoming unmanageable

Untidy living spaces, unpaid bills, or unopened post can indicate that everyday tasks are becoming overwhelming.

5. Reduced mobility or increased falls risk

Struggling with stairs, walking, or experiencing recent falls is a strong indicator that additional care could help maintain safety at home.

How Home Instead can help

At Home Instead, we provide tailored elderly home care services that support people to live independently in their own homes for longer. Our Care Professionals offer companionship, personal care, medication support, meal preparation, and specialist dementia care.

We focus on relationship-led care, meaning continuity, trust, and familiarity are at the heart of everything we do.