(Read our Healthy Eating Guide for Older Adults.) A professional caregiver can ensure that your senior family member remains comfortable and safe while still having the freedom to continue enjoying activities on their own terms. Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Help at Home - synergyhomecare.com Norm Goody, an emergency room doctor, pain and palliative care specialist and former hospice medical director. Theres a stack of unpaid bills. This is common. Does Your Aging Parent Need Adult Day Care? 10 Signs They Need Help Be concerned if things that were kept up are now in bad need of repair. If you find that your parent is suddenly more irritable or ill-tempered than usual, this may be a warning sign of depression. On the other hand, your parents weight loss may indicate that they have trouble grocery shopping or getting healthy food for themselves. Signs of hoarding? The older our parents get, the more difficult a time theyll likely have engaging in regular activities and accomplishing daily tasks. 10 Signs That Your Elderly Parent Needs Help As aging parents, particularly those who live alone, face medical and mobility issues, questions relating to their physical, social, and psychological well-being arise. 10 Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Help - PHCFAMILY.ORG Unsafe can refer to a range of hazards around the home or outside that are risks, particularly for seniors. What should you look for? Loss of interest in social connection can also be a key warning sign that your aging parent is struggling with depression. The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between AgingCare and the reader. She loved driving her car, but we discovered shehad recently forgotten her way home. A year or so later, she had progressed to early Alzheimers. 10 signs your aging parent might need help 1. While this isnt an easy conversation for adult children to have with their aging parents, neglecting daily tasks can be a sign of an underlying medical condition impacting your parent. We assumed she was simply grieving. Financial issues- Your parents are missing due dates for bills or writing bounced checks. With his doctors help, wewere able to wean my dadoff some medicationshe no longer needed. Well, if you are asking yourself this same question, you are reading the right article. The inside of the house becomes uncharacteristically cluttered, disorganized or dirty. However, if your financially independent parent is struggling to pay bills on time, is unsure about the state of their bank accounts, or is otherwise struggling to keep track or keep up with their financial responsibilities, it may be time to step in or seek outside help. 10 Signs Your Parents Need Help at Home | Judson But for an aging loved one, who might have trouble reading labels or chopping ingredients, it can be too much. Decline in hygiene and grooming habits Caregivers and family members of the elderly must be aware of any potential dangers to the senior's health; thus, learning to recognize these warning signs is crucial. If the lightbulbs are . 5. Is the house dirty? Neglecting bills will inevitably result in phone calls from collectors, compounding the stress and causing confusion. If they dont, theyll need help at home much sooner than they otherwise might have. and they are likely going to have to change their routines to accommodate their health. Your parents doctor may recommend that they seek. Apathy and mood changes can be early signs of dementia. 3. Older adults can also have chronic conditions such as cataracts, which limit their ability to see (especially at night), or arthritis, which can interfere with their ability to steer or push on the pedals. After my father died, she acted confused and distant. If you notice clutter piling up, especially bills, its time to get help at home so the living space can be tidy, organized and clean. By understanding the different options for elderly care, you and your aging family . This can look different for every individual, and its challenging to decide whether your level of concern justifies taking further action. Determine why your parent is struggling with personal finances; are they struggling to make ends meet or are they forgetting to track finances and make important payments? If your once-meticulously groomed parent doesn't seem to be bathing (or shaving, or brushing their teeth) regularly, that could be a sign that they need another person to help them. Poor-fitting dentures, too, can cause people to stop eating solid foods. If you are worried about whether or not your older parent needs help aging, or are considering calling a family meeting to talk about getting extra help for mom and dad, consider some of the warning signs below in your decision. Relationships can be complicated under the best of circumstances. Need local transportation for shopping and doctors in town and in county. Constantly falling asleep? Within a few months, it became clear that something else was wrong. If I am a dementia-stricken neighbor's medical & durable POA, can I insist homecare providers see her? When Dad declines a trip to the zoo with the grandchildren, we justify that the physical exertion is likely just too much. Then, if needed, talk to a doctor about hiring a home care aide. 9. That's not always possible, though. If youre seeing these signs your parents need assistance, take heart. Safety issues can arise in each room of the house, from tall kitchen cabinets too high to reach to throw rugs and slippery bathrooms that are difficult to spot and pose fall risks. havent equipped their homes in any way for healthy aging. I must call them., Scammers prey on elderly people. Here are 10 signs that your parent or loved one may need help at home, whether assistance with managing daily tasks or more advanced care. While many older people want to age in their own homes, Age Safe America reports that 85% of older adults havent equipped their homes in any way for healthy aging. All Rights Reserved. "Always note anything out of character," says geriatric psychologist Melissa Henston. If your parent has become inactive, is reluctant to leave their home, or is no longer maintaining their social life, they may need assistance. Even ifyour parent was never a social butterfly, you should still look for signs that he/she seems lonely or depressed or has become more isolated. The important thing is to be aware. If you can't evaluate their abilities maybe you live far away or they won't let you drive with them try examining their car for dents or scratches, or asking a neighbor for their input, per the NIA. We help people to find a best option of senior living for themselves and their close elder relatives. Not only could a person break a hip or other bone, but they could be unable to get back up again, sometimes until a neighbor or family member finds them days later. Her doctor did a simple in-office test and said she had mild cognitive impairment. 1. But they dont see what you do when you visit. Or it could mean that your loved one needs assistance. Your parents doctor may recommend that they seek rehabilitative care and they are likely going to have to change their routines to accommodate their health. They found that 60 percent of them showed abnormal results in tests for cognitive and executive function, while more than 75 percent struggled with daily activities, from grooming to paying bills. If you determine that your loved one needs extra help, Advantage Home Care provides a wide variety of in-home senior services, including non-medical care. Many of these red flags could indicate physical and mental impairments that need immediate attention. Does he/she seem confused about performing once familiar tasks? 2. If you are considering in-home care in Brooklyn, NY, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of NYC today at 516-788-8322. A home health aide may also be able to visit them and help administer the medication. 10 Signs Your Aging Parents Might Need Home Health Care - Amedisys Mom and Dad may not want to share that they fell the other night. Still, it's probably not going to be easy to take away a loved one's keys, especially because so many people value their autonomy, Dr. Atai says. Where You Live Matters is powered by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), a respected voice in the senior housing industry. August 2020 Noticeable weight loss due to poor diet, and/or difficulty cooking, eating, shopping for food, etc. Forum members span a range of experience levels, so you can learn something new with each unique interaction. This list includes 10 signs that may signal your aging parent or elder loved one may need assistance and possibly home care. But other times, you may need to provide more help. Broach the subject respectfully and in such a way that theyre able to participate in identifying the underlying problem(s) and coming up with solutions. These are signs that an older family member could need supports in place at home, which may include equipment to assist with mobility or even physical or occupational therapy to help build stamina and/or skills to better manage the necessary activities of daily living. If your parent is making financial decisions that you disagree with (like impulsive purchases), you may ultimately have to respect their autonomy as they control their own affairs. Do your parents exhibit any of these signs? Poor hygiene: They're also fairly common: About 3 million people over the age of 65 are treated in the ER for falls each year, according to the CDC. When it affects your parents, you need insight and guidance when you see signs that your aging parent needs help. You also begin to notice weight loss. Fatigue can be caused by many different things, including physical illness, depression, anxiety, or even the side effects of certain medications. Wearing soiled clothing or dressing inappropriately for the season/weather due to difficulties dressing, Poor personal hygiene and unpleasant body odor as a result of infrequent showering or bathing, Unkempt hair, untrimmed nails, or poor oral hygiene, indicating a noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care, Bruises, wounds, or other marks on the body that could indicate falls or changes in mobility, Noticeable burns on the skin that could indicate a senior is experiencing problems cooking, Loss of interest in hobbies and activities, Failure to return phone calls to friends and family members, Changes in sleep patterns (e.g., insomnia or sleeping more than usual), Changes in household cleanliness and organization, Stacks of unopened mail, late payment notices, or bounced checks, Unpaid bills, calls from collectors, or utilities being turned off, Spoiled food that doesnt get thrown away, Little or no fresh, healthy food or overall low food supply, Urine odor in the house, which may indicate incontinence, Cookware or appliances with noticeable burn marks could indicate food has been left unattended while cooking or reheating, Failure to maintain outdoor areas with landscaping, snow removal, or garbage collection, Signs of unsafe driving (e.g., new dents or scratches on their car), Forgetfulness (e.g., forgetting to take medications or taking incorrect dosages, missing appointments, misplacing items), Consistent use of poor judgment (e.g., falling for scams or sales pitches, giving away money), Frequently getting lost when walking or driving, Poor personal hygiene and/or wearing the same clothes over and over, Inability to recall names of familiar people, objects, or places. In my opinion, if your elderly person is a hazard on the road, its non-negotiable. Website by LEAF9, Home Safety and Modifications and Maintenance, Meals and Housekeeping or Personal Concierge, Geriatric Care Managers and Senior Care Advisors, Everyday items stored in too-high places, No grab bars in strategic places, such as the bathroom. Be sure to use your best communication skills and consider capacity issues, if appropriate. By recognizing the signs that indicate a need for in-home care help early on, you can ensure that your elderly family member gets the best possible care tailored to their individual needs. But the fact is, sometimes signs of aging are indications that a loved ones health and lifestyle is at stake. 7 Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Care, and How to Help Them - LIVESTRONG.COM Once youve noticed the unexplained weight loss in your elderly loved one, its time to take action. Why Low Impact Exercise Offers Massive Benefits for Seniors, 4 Tips To Help Family Caregivers Transfer Seniors, Focus on Breakfast for Good Health and a Great Start, How to Keep a Positive Outlook While Aging, Helping a Senior Cope with the Loss of a Pet, 4 Ways To Make Gardening Easy For Seniors. The following are ten signs your elderly parent requires assistance. If you begin to notice your elderly parent losing weight, it can be a serious warning sign that they need help aging. Perhaps you have siblings who can help, too. 1. As we age, our needs change and sometimes require additional care. As you spend time with your aging parent, pay attention to changes in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Safety issues can arise in each room of the house, from tall kitchen cabinets too high to reach to throw rugs and slippery bathrooms that are difficult to spot and pose fall risks. If a parent needs help with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, etc., its possible to hire in-home aides, although this can get pricey over time. While the best way to support a parent who needs frequent medical care can vary, your family may consider seeking the services of a home health aide or registered nurse who can provide in-home care.