No one knows your parents the way you do — something out of character for them may be an everyday occurrence for someone else. Even small changes shouldn’t be brushed under the rug, as they could be a sign of something more serious. Here are some signs to be aware of that may indicate that your aging parent needs help at home or in a community setting, from our senior living team in South Jersey.
#1 – Difficulty
with daily routines
Activities of Daily
Living (ADLs) are those things that we do almost unthinkingly each day of our
lives, from cooking and bathing to dressing ourselves and moving around the
house. For many seniors, these tasks become much more challenging if they feel
unsteady on their feet, suffer from arthritis, are ill, or are becoming forgetful.
#2 – Unexplained
weight loss
Many people do lose
weight as they get older, as appetites and metabolisms change with different
stages of life. However, a sudden or dramatic loss of weight without a good
explanation is a cause for concern. It may mean that your parent is struggling
to do their grocery shopping and prep meals. Illnesses like cancer can cause
weight loss, and dementia can
also cause people to miss meals out of forgetfulness. Some medications can also
cause a diminished appetite.
If you notice
significant weight loss, It’s a good idea to have a health check-up to ensure
that any medical issues are properly diagnosed as soon as possible. Your
parent’s physician can also talk to them about why they might be losing weight.
It could be as simple as needing help getting groceries each week or needing to
move into a community where nutritious meals are supplied in a dining room or
directly to their apartment.
#2 – A messy or
unhygienic appearance
Dressing and bathing
often become more challenging for the elderly, with arthritis making it harder
to fasten buttons and laces. Feeling unsteady can even make showering in a
stall with grab bars difficult. If your parent is usually well-groomed, but
you’ve started noticing that they are not bathing as often (or as thoroughly)
as they usually would, or that they are wearing the incorrect clothes and have
a sloppy appearance, it may be a sign that they’re having some difficulties.
Whether the problem is
clothing that’s difficult to wear, a bathroom that’s difficult to use, fears of
falling, or anything else, it’s an important thing to be aware of to guide your
search for senior assistance.
#3 – Changes in
mood, behavior, or mental status
Dramatic changes in
personality and behavior can indicate anything from depression or social
isolation to a dementia condition, stroke, or other illness. Typically, elderly
parents who are starting to struggle may show a lack of motivation to do
activities they once enjoyed, a loss of interest in hobbies, difficulty
tracking time, lack of communication, dramatic mood swings, agitation, and even
physically or verbally abusive behavior.
It’s important to
watch for these changes because a lot can be done to assist the elderly in
these areas. Whether it’s getting on track with professional memory care,
getting an early diagnosis on a medical condition, or finding a community like
UMC at The Shores that offers the support, social interaction and companionship
they deserve, there are many options to help you maintain or enhance your loved
one’s quality of life.
#4 – Neglecting the
home
If your house-proud
parents are no longer able to keep up with maintaining the home or garden and
struggle with other household chores, moving into assisted
living can take this burden off their shoulders. Not only will the
right assistance alleviate concerns about safety, hygiene, and care for your parents,
but it will also free up their time to spend it as they want, supporting a
better quality of life all around.
When you visit your
parents, keep an eye out for low food supplies, spoiled food not being thrown
out, stacks of unopened mail, a dirty or cluttered home, urine smells, unusual
stains, poor general upkeep of the yard, and scorch marks on pots and pans.
These signs can all indicate your loved ones need additional support.
Independent, active, and abundant – Assisted Living in
Cape May County
While some seniors may
come right out and say they’re finding it difficult to bathe, dress, or get
around the house, others find this topic difficult to talk about. Instead, you
may notice that your mom who is usually so neatly dressed is looking disheveled
or not wearing her favorite clothing. Your dad who usually takes care of
himself may stop bathing or eating properly. Whatever you notice, remember to
take note of it and start exploring ways of providing assistance that still
supports a full and independent lifestyle.
At UMC at The Shores,
we offer a welcoming community for seniors of all levels of independence. We
also have a dedicated memory care program for residents with Alzheimer’s or
other forms of dementia. We aim to create a warm, active community where
seniors get the support they need to live an abundant life.
Contact us today to
talk more about assisted living in South Jersey, or visit our website at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/
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