3 Signs That Your Parent Needs Help At Home
Posted on: 6 February 2015
Do you have an elderly parent who lives alone? Are you worried that he or she may not be able to care for himself or herself? It can be difficult to know when a parent needs extra help. It's often challenging because deterioration in mental or physical conditions is usually gradual, not sudden. Your parent may lose certain abilities and functions slowly over time, so it may not always be obvious that they need help. However, catching the warning signs early can allow you to get help in quickly. That may be enough to prevent a serious accident and keep them in their home long-term. Here are three warning signs that you shouldn't ignore:
They neglect their hygiene. Showering, brushing teeth, and other personal hygiene habits are basic elements of everyday life. If your parent starts to wear dirty clothes or take showers less frequently, there's definitely a problem. It could be that your parent has memory problems and simply forgets when to shower or brush his or her teeth. It could also be that he or she has a physical issue, but is afraid to disclose it. For example, he or she may be unable to make it up and down the steps to the washing machine in the basement, so they're just not washing their clothes at all.
The house is unkempt. This is similar to personal hygiene. A relatively clean house is a necessity for most people. If your parent's house has become cluttered and messy, try to find out what the issue is. Also, check for spoiled food in the refrigerator. That's a sign that they either don't know the food is spoiled or they're physically unable to go to the store. The big thing here is to look for a change of habit. A little clutter may not be a warning sign if the parent has always been messy. However, if they normally kept a spotless house and it's now cluttered, that should be seen as a red flag.
They waste money. Elderly people are susceptible to scams, salespeople, and even their own impaired judgement. Look for packages that are arriving, unusual magazine subscriptions, or bills piling up. This could be a sign that they're ordering useless items off the internet or not paying important bills. If possible, get on your parent's phone account so you can see their call history. That way you can see if they're talking to telemarketers or other sales people.
If your notice these signs, you may want to talk to your parent about using a home care service (such as Handle With Care In-Home Care & Assistance). A skilled home caregiver can take care of some of these responsibilities and help your parent safely stay in his or her home.
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