Is It Time? Recognising When Your Loved One Needs Additional Support

Signs Your Loved One Might Need Additional Support

Recognising when it's time to consider care options can be one of life's most difficult realisations. Here's how to spot the signs with love and understanding.

Watching someone you love age or struggle with health challenges is never easy. As families across West Sussex know all too well, there often comes a moment when you start wondering: "Is mum managing okay on her own?" or "Should dad still be living independently?"

These questions don't make you a bad son, daughter, or partner - they make you a caring one. Recognising when your loved one might benefit from additional support is actually one of the most loving things you can do.

The Subtle Signs That Often Go Unnoticed

Changes in Personal Care Sometimes the first signs are the smallest ones. Perhaps your mum, who was always immaculately dressed, now wears the same clothes for several days. Maybe dad's usually well-groomed appearance has become dishevelled, or you notice they're not bathing as regularly as they used to.

These changes often happen gradually, making them easy to miss during short visits. Your loved one might feel embarrassed about struggling with buttons, zips, or simply finding the energy for daily grooming routines.

The Fridge That Tells a Story Take a gentle look inside their refrigerator during your next visit. Are there expired items they haven't noticed? Empty shelves where there used to be fresh food? Sometimes families discover their loved one has been living on biscuits and tea because shopping and cooking have become overwhelming tasks.

Weight loss or gain can also signal that nutrition has become a challenge, whether due to forgetting to eat, difficulty preparing meals, or changes in appetite.

Safety Concerns That Keep Families Awake at Night

The Phone Calls That Worry You Has your loved one started calling you repeatedly about the same concern? Are they becoming confused about times, dates, or recent conversations? Perhaps they're calling at unusual hours, seeming disoriented or anxious.

These communication changes often indicate that managing daily life is becoming more challenging than they're willing to admit.

Home Safety Red Flags During visits, you might notice:

• Unopened mail piling up or bills going unpaid

• Household maintenance being neglected

• Increased clutter or difficulty keeping the home tidy

• Signs of falls or near-misses they haven't mentioned

• Medication bottles with unclear dosing or missed doses

  
  

Driving Concerns New dents or scratches on the car, reports from neighbours about erratic driving, or your loved one mentioning they "got a bit lost" on familiar routes can all signal that independence behind the wheel may be becoming unsafe.

Social and Emotional Changes

The Gradual Withdrawal Perhaps your usually social loved one has stopped attending their regular activities, cancelled plans with friends, or seems less interested in hobbies they once enjoyed. Social isolation often creeps in when daily tasks become overwhelming, creating a cycle where loneliness compounds other challenges.

Mood and Personality Shifts Increased irritability, anxiety, or sadness can indicate your loved one is struggling more than they're letting on. Sometimes what appears as stubbornness ("I don't need help!") is actually fear, embarrassment, or grief over losing independence.

When Medical Needs Become Complex

Managing Multiple Medications If your loved one takes several medications, watch for signs they're struggling with the routine - missed doses, double-dosing, or confusion about which tablets to take when. This becomes particularly concerning with medications for conditions like diabetes, heart problems, or blood pressure.

Frequent Health Scares Repeated falls, hospital visits, or GP appointments might indicate that managing health conditions at home is becoming too challenging without additional support.

Having the Conversation

Approach with Love, Not Alarm When you've noticed concerning signs, approaching the conversation with empathy is crucial. Instead of "You can't manage anymore," try "I've noticed you seem tired lately. How are you feeling about managing everything at home?"

Listen to Their Fears Often, resistance to accepting help stems from fear - fear of losing independence, being a burden, or having to leave their beloved home. Understanding these concerns helps you explore solutions that address their worries whilst ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

Exploring Support Options

Starting Small Additional support doesn't always mean residential care. Sometimes a few hours of home care each week can make an enormous difference - help with shopping, cleaning, medication reminders, or simply companionship.

Gradual Increases Support can grow with changing needs. What starts as a weekly visit might evolve into daily check-ins, and eventually more comprehensive care if needed. The key is finding the right level of support that maintains dignity whilst ensuring safety.

You're Not Alone in This Journey

At Ashton Care, we've walked alongside hundreds of West Sussex families facing these exact concerns over our 40+ years of service. We understand that recognising these signs takes courage, and acting on them takes even more.

Whether you're considering our home care services to help your loved one remain in their own home, or exploring our residential and nursing care options, we're here to have honest, gentle conversations about what might work best for your family.

Remember: Seeking help isn't giving up on independence - it's supporting it.

Need someone to talk through your concerns? Our experienced team understands the delicate balance between safety and independence. Call us on 01243 838223 for a confidential, no-pressure conversation about how we might be able to help your family.

The Ashton Care Group - 4+ decades of caring for local families across West Sussex