As families gather together this holiday season, adult children may begin to notice the effects aging has had on their senior parents. Once spry and energetic companions, physical and mental changes in aging parents can have many children wondering if it’s time to call for assistance. If you and your family are beginning to wonder if your loved one needs assisted care, you’re not alone. Many adult children are faced with these difficult decisions and are looking for signs that assisted living is the right decision for their loved one.
If you’re concerned about your loved one, here are a few things to look for:
Declining Health
Have you recently noticed a significant decline in the health of your loved one? Or, are their healthcare needs piling up? If your loved one’s healthcare needs are more than they, or you and your family members, can handle it may be time to consider assisted living care.
Difficulty Completing Everyday Tasks
When you talk with your loved one, do they mention the difficulty in keeping up with simple housework such as laundry or dishes? When you visit their home, do you notice a lack of housekeeping or misplaced mail and unpaid bills? When loved ones begin having trouble keeping track of bills and find it difficult to complete simple household chores, assistance is needed.
Cutting Back on Social Activities
Have you noticed a lack in conversation about friendships and social activities? If your loved one spends more time alone at home than usual, that may mean getting around has become more difficult. Social engagement is important for all people but can be imperative to aging seniors. Without social engagement, cognitive health can decline. This isolation from others can lead to anxiety and depression in loved ones as well.
Loss of Interest
If your parent used to be the life of the party but has had a sudden loss in interest in being social and staying engaged, they may be suffering. Aging can take its toll both physically and mentally, causing seniors to feel undervalued and stressed. This decline in health can lead to mood swings and depression. Once engaged individuals can become apathetic if depression sets in. If you notice these issues in your loved one, talk with them to see how you can help.
Forgetfulness
Does your loved one seem more forgetful than usual? Have you noticed them forgetting where they’ve put things or seen unexplained dents in their car? Forgetfulness can lead to confusion and uncertainty in those we love and can lead to harm if not addressed properly. If your loved one is becoming more and more forgetful, it may be time to seek care.
Poor Hygiene
Your loved one used to be concerned about looking their best for every outing, but lately, you’ve noticed a lack of personal care in their appearance. If you notice poor hygiene in your loved one, such as disheveled clothing, unkempt hair or extreme weight gain or loss, assistance may be needed.
When happiness or health are compromised, it’s time to consider a care plan for your loved one. Surpass Senior Living communities offer multiple care options from respite care to assisted living to help you and your family care for a loved one in need. If you’re concerned about your loved one, contact us to learn more and find the help you need for your loved one.