subject: How To Tell Your Elderly Parent Needs Senior Care [print this page] It may be hard to tell when your aging parent needs living assistance or senior care, but you can be certain that they will be the last ones to admit it to you. Older individuals have been independent for so long, that when it is time to sit back and rest, they just cant. And they most definitely dont want to be a burden to their children and families, no one does. Many times the aging senior will experience a traumatic event before they admit that it is time for senior care, but if youre able to recognize a few tell-tale signs before something traumatic happens you could end up saving a lot of pain and worry down the line. Here are a few signs that can indicate its time to talk with your aging parent about senior care.
Your elderly parent may have difficulty or be incapable of performing simple day to day activities like bathing, dressing and grooming, toileting, moving from place to place, walking, or eating. If you have noticed a change in their ability to carry out these basic tasks, you should talk to an agency that handles senior care placement. These agencies are experienced with easing families into the senior care process and will be dedicated to providing your family with the best possible caregiver for your relative.
Senior care doesnt always mean care giving. Many people opt for senior care just so their older parent has someone to keep them company during the day. Just having someone to talk to can be great for aging parents. If youve noticed that they seems lonely or depressed, it could be extremely beneficial to hire a senior care placement agency to get the perfect companion.
Changes in physical appearance may also be a huge indicator your elderly parent needs senior care. These changes could include: noticeable weight loss, sloppy appearance, poor hygiene, black and blue marks on the body (could indicate falling or trouble walking), noticeable burns on the skin could indicate they are having trouble cooking.
There may also be certain tell-tale signs in their home that its time for senior care. Some common signs include: the yard has not been maintained, normal cleaning duties around the home havent been done, dents and scratches on their automobile could indicate problems driving, carpet stains could indicate spilling or dropping things, pots and pans with noticeable burn marks could be a sign of them leaving food on the stove and forgetting about it.
Unusual behavior is also a telltale sign that your aging parent needs assistance. This unusual or erratic behavior could include: lack of motivation, failure to return your phone calls, verbal or physical abuse. Some other signs include frequent memory lapses, confusion, rapid mood swings, and difficulty performing familiar tasks.
All in all, youre aging parent has done a lot to take care of you over the years and although they may protest, they will need assistance eventually. If you find that you just dont have time to caregiver 24 hours a day, senior care could be a really beneficial option for your loved one.
