Watching your parent grow older can be heartbreaking but understand it’s a natural part of life. Old age comes with hardships like mobility or memory loss, but you can ease or prevent more issues from arising if you look for signs that your elderly parent may need help.
Lack of Personal Care
When seniors lose their ability to care for themselves, it could present as unbrushed teeth or a noticeable lack of showering. You may notice body odor or urine on their clothes or at home. It’s important not to embarrass your parent, so gently bring up the topic and let them know it’s okay.
Another sign of self-neglect is sudden weight loss. Sudden or severe weight loss could indicate your parent isn’t eating well. Check their refrigerator to see if they’re buying nutritious foods. Weight loss could also be due to unchecked health issues, but they refuse to see a health care professional.
Forgetting Medication
It can be dangerous to forget to take medication, especially if it is essential to their livelihood. Please make a note of how many pills are in their prescription bottles. If they use a pill organizer, check if they’ve taken their medication in the last few days.
Piles of Unpaid Bills
If your parent has unpaid bills or receives notices and phone calls from bill collectors, they may need help handling home responsibilities. It becomes dangerous to let bills go unpaid for long periods as essential utilities like hot water and electricity can be shut off.
Lack of Home Care
Pay attention to signs of needed maintenance the next time you visit your parent(s). This could be in the form of a building pile of unwashed dishes or an overgrown lawn. There may be signs of hoarding, like large clutter or overflowing trash cans. If your parent has pets, take note of their well-being; are they being fed and cared for the way they should be?
Declining Mobility
It’s natural to lose mobility as we age, but there may be a point when someone may need assistance. Signs of loss of mobility include:
- Experiencing dizziness when walking
- Difficulty standing up after sitting
- Sudden bruises and injuries
- Losing balance and falling
Depression
The trials of aging can be devastating and traumatic, impacting your parent’s identity and mental health. Common signs of depression include:
- Lack of motivation
- Hopelessness
- Mood swings
- Crying
General Confusion
Seniors start to experience confusion as they age. It might not always be serious, but it should be monitored. Be gentle when addressing these issues with your parent because confusion is scary and traumatic. Make a note if they:
- Forget their home address or street name
- Forget where they’re going when driving
- Sleep at unusual times
- Lose track of time
Inappropriate Behavior
This can go hand in hand with depression and confusion. You may notice them wearing the wrong clothing for the weather, acting mean when they’re usually kind, or calling you in the middle of the night.
Here’s How You Can Help!
There are many ways to help your elderly parent, like involving the rest of your family in caregiving. If you can’t care for your parent, consider senior living options or hiring an in-home caregiver so someone is always there to help. If you’d like to become your parent’s caregiver but need daily help, there are resources for you. Nevada Adult Day Healthcare Centers can be one of those resources by providing nursing services, assistance with daily living, and more! Call us today to learn how we can help you and your loved one.
