It is challenging for senior citizens to take proper care of themselves and remain physically and psychologically healthy. Maintaining work and life balance while assisting them is equally difficult for other family members for days at a time. That said, most people find it difficult to focus on essential matters, which is discouraging and harmful for everyone’s health.
Getting professional care is a win-win arrangement in this case. Thus, if you notice your aging parents needing more special care and attention than usual, senior home care services could be pretty beneficial. However, knowing when is the perfect time to bring up this topic with them might be challenging. That said, it would be best to watch out for the following signs:
A significant change in their personality and appearance
Physical and behavioral changes are crucial signs that your loved one requires additional assistance, as this can indicate that their functional abilities are deteriorating. For example, they could start gaining or losing weight due to poor diet or even use untidy clothes and forget to brush their hair.
The lack of adequate nourishment and hydration has detrimental effects on the body, mind, and emotion. You can help them by providing advice on healthy food options and support with groceries and food preparation.
Solitude and depression, accompanied with other behavioral changes, including excessive mood fluctuations, lack of motivation and interest in doing hobbies and activities they used to enjoy, detachment, and being separated from loved ones, could also signal the need for further assistance.
Unable to carry out day-to-day activities
It will get increasingly difficult for our dear ones to do household activities as they grow old. This phase involves feelings of apprehension or bewilderment when executing things that were formerly a familiar routine. For example, you may notice unusual piling up of trash, dirty dishes are stacking up in the drain, or surfaces are covered with thick layers of dirt. They may also stop attending physical fitness training with their age group or any daily habits that get them to move.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being able to do physical activities is vital for seniors as it helps prevent health risks and problems that come with old age. However, if their conditions affect simple activities or hobbies they used to like, it could be time to seek help.
Problems with Cognitive Health
Forgetfulness, problems with learning new skills, following a daily routine, and other memory-related behaviors can be a strong indicator that special care is required. While these could pass as a normal phase for this stage in life, it can be alarming if they start forgetting essential routines such as taking their daily medication, incorrect dose for their prescription, or even their way back home.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep an eye out for any problems that have deteriorated dramatically over time. These conditions vary from tiny wounds that appear to be infected to persistent cough or limp. A missed prescription dose or doctor’s visit may look benign; however, when there is a misunderstanding regarding which medicine to take or an overdose, such forgetfulness will have catastrophic implications.
Frequent accidents
While accidents can happen anytime to anyone, regularly falls for our seniors indicate that something isn’t right. Slips and missteps may sound simple, but it is one of the primary causes of impairment and death for old age, with 684,000 cases recorded globally by the World Health Organization.
People fall for various reasons, including lack of strength, chronic pain, or prescription misuse. Falls can also happen as a result of the worsening of a pre-existing medical condition. Failure to lower this risk will result in a far more complex situation for your loved one.
Major health concerns
If they have afflicted chronic disease, they may require frequent IV therapy or dialysis hospitalizations. Seniors who suffer from prolonged pain problems are more likely to get other ailments. Because they are at greater risk, these seniors may require additional attention and care from loved ones or even professionals.
We can alleviate most of these aging symptoms with some extra help at home as there are many degrees of care available, especially if they require more support than you can offer. Experts advocate familiarizing yourself with the variables between your alternatives well before you make a decision, so you’re not compelled to decide rapidly in case of a health issue.
Consult with your loved one’s physicians or discharge coordinators to choose the optimal degree of care if they have been hospitalized. Aging should not be a burden for anyone, and we need to make their remaining days comfortable and enjoyable as best as we can.
