You will reach a point when you realize that your aging parent or loved one needs help at home. Tell-tale signs include: your loved one requires constant supervision and/or assistance with everyday activities - such as bathing and dressing. You may also notice that certain housekeeping routines are accomplished with great difficulty or left undone. Again, another indicator.
Next time you go to visit mom or dad, pay attention to the following areas:
Mobility Issues – Difficulty walking, unsteady when standing, falling down, etc.
Disinterest in Personal Health – Changes in cooking or eating habits, spoiled food in the refrigerator and lack of nutritious food in the pantry or freezer.
Changes in Personal Habits – Loss of interest in hobbies, reluctance to socialize, unopened mail or unpaid bills, changes in housekeeping methods and lack of home maintenance.
Loss of Mental Acuity – Memory loss, confusion, difficulty in concentration, forgets medication or has become uncertain about dosage, unusual purchases of goods or services, mood or other personality changes, increase or decrease in sleep, fatigue.
If you feel your parent falls into one of the categories above, there are many different senior care options your family can look into. You can contact a local Geriatric Care Manager to help assess your family’s needs and determine which option may be the best for you and your loved one.
Some options include:
Adult day care – A daily program, usually Mon-Fri from 9a-5p, that offers participants the opportunity to socialize, enjoy peer support and receive health and social services in a safe, familiar environment.
Senior/Retirement communities – Independent living in an apartment or single family home. This is in a small community setting for seniors who need little, if any help with their daily activities.
Assisted living facilities – A residential option for seniors who want or need help with some of the activities of daily living— cooking meals, keeping house and bathing.
Home care – home care services include companionship, light housekeeping, cooking and many other household activities and chores provided in the comfort of the senior’s own home.
Home Care Assistance provides highly trained caregiver’s for your loved one in their home on an hourly or live-in basis.
With this knowledge, think about your loved ones’ health and wellness, and discuss options early.
By: Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC, Founder and CEO of Home Care Assistance