Caring for old parents is a very demanding and loving action, which can sometimes require the taking of hard decisions. One of the hardest decisions among families is choosing the right time to start thinking about elderly care. Among the most difficult ones, families will have to decide when to bring in the discussion about assisted living for their old parents. Though the situation may not be always so clear-cut, generally, one of the family members will give some cues to the family that he/she might need more than the family home can provide in terms of help.
Your loved one may still be able to live in his/her own home with the comfort, safety, dignity, and care that he/she deserves, as well as the independence of living there, if you notice some not-so-obvious signs.
1. Decline in Grooming and Self-Care:
One of the major indicators of changes in your parent’s hygiene or appearance could be highlighted through a decline in grooming style and habits. If your always-groomed mother takes pride in having her hair neat and dressed in sharp attire, and now wears the same clothes every day that she has not changed for a few days and thinks it is okay to not bathe or shower, is not just a simple distraction.
There are multiple common reasons that people do not attend to their personal hygiene, including physical limitations such as arthritis, weakness, or balance; changes in memory such as dementia or mild cognitive impairment; and psychosocial matters such as depression, grief, or social isolation.
Others’ psychosocial conditions such as depression, loss, or social withdrawal, (*a notable support factor for older adults is social participation)
Once you recognize that your parent may need help with bathing or dressing, assisted senior living communities do a terrific job in providing assistance with bathing, grooming, or dressing, all with respect to the dignity and privacy of the person receiving care. Usually, upon receiving regular care, self-esteem, and the feeling of fresh and confident goes up.
2. Frequent Falls or Mobility Issues:
The decline in mobility may not be obvious and can manifest through holding on to the furniture while walking or taking the stairs.
Signs to watch for:
- Bruises, cuts, or bandages that come with unclear reasons.
- Exhibiting hesitation when rising or sitting down.
- Declining to go for a walk outdoors or to social gatherings because of the fear of falling.
The floor plan of assisted living facilities is made with safety as the priority — including the installation of grab bars, use of non-slip floors, provision of emergency alert systems, and having the support of staff available 24/7. Hence, your parent can have the option of freely moving around the place without the concern of falling.
3. Withdrawal from Social Activities:
Loneliness in the elderly is a silent but very destructive problem. If your parent has cut off communication with his or her friends, is no longer going to the hobbies, and is continually turning down family events, that may mean he or she is experiencing an emotional decline or even depression.
Among the effects of social withdrawal are:
- Mental dullness
- Poor psychological health and sleeping disorders
- Very low resistance to germs
The retirement communities support interaction and involve residents through group activities like music therapy, physical fitness, artistic creation, and watching films, offering social activities that revive the feeling of life and the sense of belonging to a community.
4. Medication Mismanagement:
When it comes to your parents multiple meds, it may become confusing to keep track of their dose and the time to take them — and this might pose a risk to their health. Missing doses or taking too much medication can result in severe health risks.
The following are indicative of medication mismanagement:
- Pillboxes that are confused or mixed up
- Prescriptions that are refilled sooner or later than expected
- Variations in mood or alertness
5. Increased Health Issues or Hospitalizations:
The most noticeable symptom of a person’s health failing is when he or she often visits the hospital or doctor.
Certain chronic diseases – such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis – can be challenging to deal with but could be easily controlled in an Assisted Living facility where continuous care is provided compared to a home setting where it might be difficult to execute the care routine.
In Assisted Living facilities, the residents’ health is continuously monitored, making it easy for the residents to get assistance whenever they need it and also minimising the consequences of an emergency hospitalization.
Conclusion: A New Era of Care and Comfort
Recognizing the indicators of this change in your parent’s life early can make a big difference in your parent’s quality of life. An assisted living community is not about taking the driver’s seat away from your parent — it’s about finding care, dignity, and happiness for them in their golden years.
For many years now, your mother or father has provided you with care. Now it is your turn, each day, to offer them comfort, compassion, and security.
If you have recognized any of the aforementioned warning signs please take some time to investigate the nearest assisted living community, and discover for yourself how it can improve your mother’s or father’s comfort, while also bringing peace of mind to you and your family.
