14 Signs Your Aging Parent May Need Help
From spoiled food to trash everywhere to living in the same clothes for weeks, certain signs may suggest an aging parent or senior loved one may need help now. “Dad, I know you say you don’t need help, but I think it’s time we have a conversation,” our Marketing Director, Savanna says to her dad. In the video here, she shares her own journey with the Founder of North Star Senior Advisors, Veronica Quinones.
No one knows your parents or loved ones like you do — something unusual for them may be an everyday situation at your friend’s parents’ home. Still, it’s helpful to know common warning signs that may signal trouble.
Although they may not want to change their current living environment, it’s important to know what to look for so you can make a plan to get help and/or provide resources.
Whether visiting in person or catching up via video chat, here are 14 signs your aging parent may need help:
1. Broken or damaged Household Items
2. Changes in mood or extreme mood swings
3. Cluttered, dirty, or disorganized house
4. Feeling depressed or having little to no energy
5. Keeping expired groceries
6. No longer able to cook
7. Forgetting to take medications
8. Leaving the house or yard maintenance unattended
9. Loss of interest in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed
10. Missing important appointments
11. Weight loss or poor dieting habits/Dehydration
12. Poor personal hygiene
13. Trouble getting up from a seated position
14. Frequent injuries or bruising
Some of these signs could point to Dementia and if you notice any of these signs, write down your concerns. Talk with your siblings and other relatives, or perhaps consider hiring a Geriatric Care Manager in the home if you all are not local or simply need outside support to step in. so If you think there is a mental decline, it’s important to visit if you can or have a Care Manager visit to really understand their care. Sometimes, over the phone, everything may seem fine when in reality they are not.
If They Do Need Help – Now What?
If you think your parents need extra help, the first best step is to talk with your parents about their choices and how this can impact their well-being. That’s not always an easy conversation to have. And like my own father, refuses to move or go into an assisted living. It’s best to have the conversation now, to best avoid a crisis later on. If you’re not sure where to begin, you call a senior living advisor at 407-796-1582 to help.
Home Care Services
Paying for yard work, home repairs or housekeeping can relieve some of the physical burdens and hassles of homeownership. If a parent needs help with activities of daily living as well, such as dressing, bathing, grooming, etc., it’s possible to hire in-home aides, although this can get pricey over time. The average cost of home care is between $18-$23/hour so a few hours a week may not be so bad but 24/7 oversight can definitely add up.
Consider Senior Living Options
You can also consider touring a few senior living communities, to get a feel for whether your parent may benefit from the services, dining plans, and activities. If you’d like to talk through any aspect of senior living or schedule a tour, our Senior Living Advisors can help.
Assisted living communities are under the umbrella of senior living and can offer maintenance-free living, nutritious dining options, interesting activities and programs, companionship, and security. They also offer the level of daily assistance that’s needed, along with other health services. The average cost of Assisted Living is about $3500 in the state for FL and while that may seem high, it can be a lot more cost-effective than paying for 24/7 home care. A Senior Advisor can guide you to communities based on your budget, location, amenities, and much more.
Memory Care can also be a great option as they offer the same thing as an assisted living community but is geared for those with Alzheimer’s and related Dementia’s. In a secured environment for their safety, they provide additional support for your loved one throughout the day with specific programming to keep their mind and body engaged. The average cost of Memory Care is closer to $4500/month and this is because there are more staff to ensure the safety of residents.
If you’re seeing these signs your parents need assistance, take heart. You have a number of options for getting them the help they need so their health and happiness aren’t compromised. Work with your parents to find the solution that’s best suited to your family.
Call a Senior Advisor at North Star Senior Advisors to see how to get started today or if you simply need advice and guidance at 407-796-1582.
You may also visit www.northstarsa.com and click on our Video Library to explore numerous educational topics about resources for seniors and tips in general.
