a senior man enjoying his assisted living home.

8 Telltale Signs Your Elderly Loved One Needs Help

0 Comment Category: Senior Health

 

As your elderly parents or grandparents age, they will need more and more help to manage their day-to-day chores. However, it can be very difficult to determine when you need to step in or when to transition into an assisted living care home. Yet there are some signs, which indicate that it is time to find the right solution for your senior loved one. Below are 8 things that say your older adult needs help, even if they do not admit it.

Memory Problems

If your loved one is forgetting bill payments or doctor’s appointments too often or has started to lose things around the house more regularly, then it indicates that their memory and cognitive functions are declining. The Aging Life Care Association says that poor memory can indicate the onset of many underlying conditions in seniors, such as dementia. That is why you should consult with a doctor for an evaluation to understand what to do next.

Difficulty Getting Around

If your senior parent or grandparent is having trouble walking, experience difficulties in navigating the stairs, or cannot get up from a chair or get out of the bed as usual, then you need to hire an in-home care provider to assist them with their daily activities. You can also move them to a senior care home because they maintain a safer living environment for seniors having difficulty getting around.

Loss of Appetite

If your elderly loved one has started losing weight, becoming dehydrated, or does not maintain a healthy diet, then it indicates that they may be having difficulties in cooking or handling utensils as they used to. Sometimes, a loss of appetite also indicates difficulty with the senses of taste and smell. In such cases, an in-home caregiver can help to prepare the meals for your loved one so that they can maintain their diet.

Low Involvement

If your senior loved one is not showing interest in getting involved in social activities and gatherings as they used to earlier, then it can be a sign of mental and cognitive health decline. In such cases, you can move your elderly parent or grandparent to an assisted living care community to help them socialize with like-minded people while ensuring that they receive all the care and assistance needed to live a happy and contented life.

Poor Hygiene

If your aging parent or grandparent is not following proper hygiene and does not care about their personal appearance anymore, then it can indicate physical problems, depression, or other conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. You can talk to your loved one to understand how they feel about it and then consult with a senior care counselor based on what you noticed to determine the right course of action to meet their specific needs.

Personality Change

If you notice a sudden change in your loved one’s personality, especially during the evening, then it can be a sign of disorders like sundown syndrome or late-day confusion. In some cases, it can also be a symptom of other health conditions, which is why it is recommended to talk to an expert as soon as you observe any changes in the personality of your senior loved one.

Cluttered Spaces

If you see that your elderly loved one is unable to manage dirty laundry or keep the kitchen and bathroom clean, then it is a sign that they need help. You can hire a senior caregiver to help them with that or move to an assisted living care facility where they can get specialized care and assistance with day-to-day activities.

Physical Signs

If your loved one has a physical condition like diabetes, visual difficulties, mobility issues, or has experienced recurrent episodes of a stroke recently, then you need to consult with a senior care counselor to understand what you can do to keep them active and healthy. Besides, if you see signs like bruises, bumps, and scratches on their body, then it means that your senior loved one is no longer able to take care of themselves, and that you need to step in with a proper caregiving strategy. Contact us to learn more about your options.

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