As our elderly family members age, the decisions that we are confronted with often become much more difficult. One of those decisions involve overnight care. Many families start out with companion care, arranging for an in-home nursing aid to come the senior’s home and assist them with dressing, cooking, cleaning, eating, etc. But at some point, especially when the senior has a medical condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other condition, overnight care is necessary.
Serious Forgetfulness: If your loved one is becoming more and more forgetful, especially when it comes to important things such as leaving the stove on or doors open, it is time to looking into overnight care. These forgetful behaviors can be dangerous and result in injuries or worse for your loved one.
Wandering Off: If your elderly loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia, one of the dangerous issues families have to deal with is wandering off. If your family has any incidents with your loved one wandering off, they should not be left alone, making overnight care necessary. An overnight in-home nursing assistance can ensure that your loved one will stay safe each night.
Medical Conditions: If your loved one is suffering from a medical condition creates a dangerous situation if they are left alone, such as seizures, having overnight for your loved one can actually save their life if something should happen. An overnight in-home nursing assistance will also provide your family with the peace of mind of knowing your family member is receiving the medical help they may need.
Medication Issues: Another sign that it may be time for overnight care is if your elderly loved one forgets to take their medication, take incorrect doses, or other medication issues. Not taking their medication or taking it incorrectly can have tragic consequences. An overnight companion can ensure that your loved one takes their medication as their doctor instructs.
Needs Help Getting Around: We all slow down as we get older. That is part of the aging process. But if it gets to the point where your loved one has difficulty moving around the house, getting in and out of the bathroom, or other issues with mobility, an overnight professional can help your loved one, while still helping them maintain some of their independence.
Thoughts and Behaviors: If there has been changes in your loved one’s behaviors or thoughts, or if they become angry or depressed, an overnight professional can help your senior feel safe and secure, as well as help them maintain a routine that the senior can feel comfortable with.