If you recently returned home to visit your senior parents for the holidays, you may have noticed small signs that could indicate a change in their physical or mental health. Oftentimes, physical and mental health decline can come as a surprise to family members, especially if everything seemed fine with their parents during their last visit.
It is important to be aware of the small signs or problems that could indicate that your aging parents may need help. In this article, we’ll provide guidance on how to spot common problems as well as provide tips to ensure your elderly loved one gets the help they need.
How to Notice Your Aging Parents May Need Extra Help
Many times, aging parents and their children are in denial that there is a problem. This is due to the fact that it is often very difficult for senior parents to admit that they need help out of fear of losing their independence. It is important to note that as we age, daily living tasks can become too much for us to handle. Even though it might be painful, it is important for family members and loved ones to step up and address the problem when this does happen.
It is often the responsibility of the family to recognize the signs that an aging parent or loved one might need help with daily living tasks. Although it may not mean that your loved one has to go to assisted living or enriched housing, it may mean they need some extra help around the house. Even if your loved one isn’t ready or willing to admit it, you can identify signs that your elderly parent needs help. Sometimes you can spot several of these signs the minute you drive up to your loved one’s home. Some of the signs to be on the lookout for include:
- House and yard need care or maintenance
- Clutter or disorganization in the house
- Disheveled clothing or poor personal hygiene
- Spoiled or expired groceries that haven’t been thrown away
- Changes in mood or mood swings
- Depressed or low energy
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- Poor diet or weight loss
- Forgetfulness
If you’ve noticed these signs with a senior loved one, it may be time to have a conversation to address these problems. While it may be easier to avoid the discussion altogether or continue to put it off, It’s important to not ignore signs that something may be wrong. The possibility of a health crisis in the elderly increases with age, so it’s important to have these discussions well in advance of any issues.
At Eddy Senior Living, we know that making a decision about senior living is not easy. Our Senior Living experts are here to help guide you and provide support throughout the process. With a variety of senior living options available including independent living, assisted living/enriched housing and memory care, The Eddy and St. Peter’s Health Partners are able to provide a full range of services and care options.
Contact us using our quick and easy contact form or give us a call at 518.280.8385 to speak with our Senior Living Specialists today.