Holidays are a Good Time to Look for Changes in Your Parents
Did You Visit Your Parents for the Holidays? Adult children of parents who are aging may not always look for changes that are happening to their parents, and often overlook them as they’re painful to see. In these instances, spouses may be the ones to prompt this conversation and point out something out of the ordinary that may be worrisome.
It’s typical of siblings who live closest to parents or those who visit most frequently to disregard warning signs (majority are gradual and easily unnoticed). When other adult children or siblings visit during the holiday months, they’re the individuals who are alarmed by their parent’s condition.
Here are several warning signs to look out for. If your loved one or parent is has experienced any of the following, it may be a safer option to consider at home senior care. These signs include:
- General Cleanliness of the Home: If you witness mildew, mold, insects, or other health concerns, this is an indication of a problem. Rotten leftovers in the fridge, milk long past its expiration date, etc…
- Personal hygiene (or lack thereof) and personal cleanliness is also an indicator.
- Your loved one is failing to take medication regularly, or misusing their prescriptions.
- You notice that finances have been mishandled.
- Your parents, relatives, or loved ones have become unsafe drivers, or you notice driving issues, including car dents, erratic habits, etc…
- Your loved ones are displaying signs of forgetfulness (signs out of the ordinary). Occasional forgetfulness is normal (and can be effected by different types of medication). Menopausal hormonal changes also result in forgetfulness for women. Frequent memory lapses do indicate the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and are warning signs not to be ignored.
- Your relatives, parents, or loved ones are not as social as they once were—you notice a decrease in their activity level.
Senior care is one option for aging parents and loved ones as it allows them to remain safely in their homes as long as possible—caregivers visit as needed and take care of everyday tasks and services, including cleaning, running regular errands (cleaning and stocking the refrigerator), managing doctor’s appointments, and accident proofing your loved one’s home—this includes checking rugs to prevent slips, adding safety bars to the shower, and anything else to prevent falls and ensure a safe living environment. These small steps of senior care can really ease the burden on your loved one and make a big difference in their quality of life.
Most individuals aren’t sure if they need help or don’t know the next steps to finding senior care. Proper planning is one way to alleviate future stress—contact a compassionate senior care provider and learn more about services and options.
Visiting Angels, the nation's leading, network of non-medical, private duty home care agencies providing senior care, elder care, personal care, respite care and companion care to help the elderly and adults continue to live in their homes across America. Visit the Visiting Angels website to find out more information on senior care and home health care.
