Aging people who live alone enjoy their independence and pride themselves on their ability to take care of themselves and their homes. If one of your parents lives alone, visiting often will help you identify certain signs that may indicate the need for home health care services. Here are three signs to look out for that may mean your loved one can benefit for home health care services:

Poor Hygiene

When you visit your loved one's home, you hope to see the robust, cheerful person who took care of you during your childhood. Seeing your parent with uncombed hair, wrinkled clothing, or dirty fingernails is devastating, but it should alert you to the need of an in-home health care provider. In addition to calling a home health care agency, make an appointment with your parent's physician if you find him or her in an unkempt state.

Poor hygiene may be an early sign of dementia, cognitive decline, or even Alzheimer's disease. If the doctor determines that your parent is showing signs of cognitive decline, your parent may not be unable to live independently anymore.

Weight Loss

Another sign that may mean your loved one needs in-home health-care services is weight loss. He or she may have lost interest in food because of the inability to cook or because health conditions have dampened the appetite.

If you notice that your parent has lost weight, make an appointment with the doctor to rule out organic causes. Some elderly people are unable to cook anymore because arthritic conditions make it painful to open jars or use kitchen utensils.

It is for this reason that you should seek out the services of a caregiver. If your loved one's meals are prepared by a caregiver, he or she may have a better appetite and actually look forward to eating. 

Social Isolation

On your next visit to your parent's home, be on the lookout for signs of social isolation. If your loved one declines your social invitations or has stopped going to senior citizen functions, he or she may be too isolated from the outside world.

Social isolation may be the result of anxiety, depression, or even hearing loss. If the cause is depression, having an in-home companion will provide company for your loved one and may help improve his or her mood. 

Also, some people are ashamed to be in social situations because they are unable to hear what others are saying and fear that they will not respond appropriately to a question or understand a conversation.

If your parent has stopped socializing, make an appointment with the physician. He or she will be assessed for mental health problems as well as for hearing deficits so that an effective treatment plan can be implemented. 

If your loved one exhibits any of the above signs, take him or her to the doctor. In the meantime, call a home health professional to learn how your parent can benefit from in-home care services.