Most families reach a point when they realize their adult parent or senior loved one needs help at home. Tell-tale signs include recognizing that your loved one requires constant supervision and/or assistance with everyday activities, such as bathing and dressing. You may also find that certain housekeeping routines are accomplished with great difficulty or left undone.
In general, consider the following areas:
Mobility Issues – Difficulty walking, unsteady when standing, falling down, stumbling.
Disinterest in Personal Health – Changes in eating or cooking habits, spoiled or outdated food in the refrigerator, lack of nutritious food in the pantry or
freezer.
Disinterest in Personal Hygiene -Wearing same clothes, wearing soiled or unkempt clothing, lack of bathing or oral care, unkempt hair or nails.
Changes in Personal Habits – Loss of interest in hobbies, reluctance to socialize, unopened mail or unpaid bills, changes in housekeeping methods, lack of home or car maintenance.
Loss of Mental Acuity – Memory loss, confusion, difficulty in concentration, or poor judgment, forgets medication or has become confused about dosage, unusual purchases of goods or services, mood or other personality changes, increase or decrease in sleep, fatigue.
If you feel your elderly loved one falls into one of the categories above, there are many different senior care options your family can look into. You can contact a local Geriatric Care Manager to help assess your family’s needs and determine which option may be the best for you and your loved one. Some options include:
Adult day care – A daily program, usually Mon-Fri from 9a-5p, that offers participants the opportunity to socialize, enjoy peer support and receive health and social services in a safe, familiar environment.
Senior/Retirement communities – An independent living option featuring apartments or single family homes in small community setting, for seniors who need little if any help with their daily activities.
Assisted living facilities – A residential option for seniors who want or need help with some of the activities of daily living—things like cooking meals, keeping house, and bathing.
Home care – Non-medical home care services include companionship, light housekeeping, cooking and many other household activities and chores provided in the comfort of the senior’s own home.
Home Care Assistance provides highly trained caregiver’s for your loved one in their home on an hourly or live-in basis.
With this knowledge, think about your loved ones’ health and wellness, and discuss options early.