Signs That You Need Help At Home

Signs That You Need Help At Home

We all want to remain as independent as possible for as long as we can. Staying in our own home is important, but sometimes it can be difficult, especially if family and friends are a little further away. Keeping active, both mentally and physically, is the best method of retaining that independence we all want. But there comes a time when you start to struggle to cope, and things can become difficult. So what kind of warning signs should you be looking out for? Here are a few tips, and some solutions, too.

Physical warning signs

If you keep reasonably active then you should be able to stay independent for a very long time. A daily walk, even if it’s just a short stroll for 30 minutes, is all you need to keep your joints supple and retain your mobility. But pains in your joints, especially knees and hips, could be an indicator that all is not well. If you’re starting to struggle to get up and down stairs, in and out of chairs, and generally find your mobility is compromised then it may be time to get a medical check up and find out if there is any procedure or medical intervention that could help you.

For relatives, it’s important to look out for the physical signs that an older member of the family is starting to struggle. You may notice that they’re moving more slowly, or mention that they are having problems. Pay attention to these signals, and make sure your family member is getting the help they need. For neighbours, you may notice that your older friend hasn’t been out and about as much lately, or that their pride and joy, their beautiful garden, has started to look a little unloved and unkept. Check in with your neighbour, and make sure they are okay.

It is often difficult to ask for help, so if you want to help then start with little the things like offering to take the bins out.

Mental warning signs

Just as important as the physical signs are the mental indicators that you may need help. We all have moments when we forget why we walked into a room, or what we were supposed to be doing. That’s a simple fact of getting older, and is generally nothing to worry about. However, if you are finding that your memory issues are becoming problematic, that it’s impacting on your daily life, or that you even forget to do simple things such as eating a meal, then you may need to speak to a medical professional. Sudden mood swings may also be an indicator of a medical condition that could be treated effectively, such as hyperthyroidism, which is very common and often goes undiagnosed.

Depression is also a key issue, especially those who live alone or are geographically isolated. Age UK has campaigned for several years on the issue of elderly loneliness, and it’s a massive and very hidden problem for millions of people. That sense of isolation can have a massive effect on your physical health too. For visitors, signs to look out for are a dishevelled appearance, poor home cleanliness, and a lack of communication or eye contact. These could be signals that the person is in distress and needs help.

Making life more comfortable

There are ways that, even if a person is starting to physically struggle, they can still be independent for longer. Mobility solutions such as riser recliner chairs that help less physically able people get up easily can make a huge difference. The same applies to simple physical aids such as hand-rails in bathrooms, riser recliner beds, and stairlifts. While some of these such as stair lifts can be expensive, there are government grants available to help people stay independent for longer, and remain in their own homes by helping towards the cost of home alterations.


Riser recliner chairs are a simple and affordable solution to everyday challenges, providing not only a greater sense of independence, but real comfort too.

But just as important is human contact. If your relative or neighbour seems withdrawn or depressed then make an effort to keep them company, and enrich their lives. It could be a simple cup of tea and a chat that makes all the difference.