Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Assisted Living
Should you consider Assisted Living? Whether the mail and newspapers are stac
ing up, food is spoiling, the pets aren’t being cared for, or something just doesn’t seem quite right, it’s important to be aware of the sign that your elderly parents may need outside help
Sometimes age sneaks up on us. Mom and dad may have seemed fine the last time you visited, whether that was last year or last week. Physical and mental health decline can surprise us. The key is to notice the little things that can indicate a problem, so you can plan as a family for the future.
Aging parents and their children are often in denial that there is a problem. It’s hard for parents to admit they need help. Problems will not go away, and need to be addressed.
Experts say you can tell if activities of daily living are getting to be too much for the elderly each time you visit, even while you are still outside. For example, the outside of the house has peeling paint or missing shutters; the driveway hasn’t been cleared of snow, etc. Once you’re inside, you may notice that the mail and newspapers have piled up, the house isn’t as clean as usual, or maybe there’s an odor.
Since a health crisis in the elderly can escalate quickly, it’s important to not ignore the signs that something may be wrong. Ideally, parents and their adult children will have a frank conversation about getting their affairs in order and long term care, well before any issues arise.
Here are some things to watch out for that may indicate it’s time to offer assistance:
- House and yard need care / maintenance
- Disheveled clothing / failure to change out of pajamas
- Soiled clothing
- Poor personal hygiene
- Broken appliances
- Burnt out light bulbs
- Changes in mood or extreme mood swings
- Spoiled / expired groceries
- Cluttered, dirty and/or disorganized house
- Depressed or low energy
- Unexplained bruising
- Trouble getting up from a seated position
- Unsteadiness on their feet
- Missing important appointments
- Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks
- Forgetfulness
- Poor diet or weight loss
- Late payment notices, bounced checks and calls from collections
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable
- Forgetting to take medications
- Unexplained dents or scratches on car
If the health or happiness of one or both parents seems to be on a downward spiral, it’s time to talk about other living options, including in-home care, a senior living community or assisted living.
Hart Heritage Estates offers assisted living in Forest Hill and Street, MD. We welcome you and your loved ones to take a tour to see if our place is the right place. Call us today at 410-638-3070 to schedule a tour and talk with some of our current residents.
