It isn’t necessarily clear to everyone when it’s time to look for long-term assistance for your aging parents.
There are a number of reasons for this, from a lack of willingness on your part or theirs to admit they need help with certain parts of life, to a genuine inability to recognize a signal that things are changing for them in a way that’s going to make it less of a possibility for them to continue living independently.
Whatever the case, recognizing the signs when they appear is paramount to getting your parent the care they need when they need it. Failing to give them that care can make life unnecessarily more difficult for them at best, and potentially put them in danger at worst.
At Miami Valley Homecare, we’ve worked with many seniors to provide top-quality care in any activity or aspect of their lives where it’s needed. Through our experience, we’ve come to recognize a few telltale signs that it’s time to get some extra help for an aging parent.
In this post, we’ll cover those signs and what kind of care you should be looking for in response to each of them.
Signs to look for
Putting a parent into an assisted living situation is never an easy decision, but these general indicators will tell you when it’s time to make that choice in the interest of their health and safety. They include:
Trouble performing normal routine activities: Signs of clear, continued disruption in your parent’s typical routine may indicate a reduced ability to perform the tasks they’re accustomed to. This might be harder to notice if they’re relatively small things like doing their own laundry, cooking, or taking care of yard work. A clearer indicator is neglect. This can translate into failing to shower and take care of basic hygienic needs, not feeding and taking care of pets, repeatedly failing to pay bills and handle other obligations, and more.
Worsening medical problems: Chronic or mounting issues with your parent’s health may indicate a need for assisted living, especially if they seem to be neglecting the steps required of them to tackle those issues. This can become dangerous, both to themselves and others, when those problems begin interfering with activities like driving or causing some form of disorientation.
Serious, long-lasting negative changes in behavior: A negative trend in mood and behavior might be a sign that it’s time to consider senior care services for your parent. This might range from repeated, sudden mood swings to aggressive behaviors, self-isolation, and general unhappiness.
What kind of senior care is needed?
Not all seniors need the same level of care, of course, and the kinds of warning signs you notice will also help indicate what level of assistance is appropriate for them.
Some examples of specific tasks you can get help for them with, as written in this article on Health.com, include:
Personal hygiene
Mobility
Companionship
Specialized care
At Miami Valley Homecare, we offer live-in and home senior care services in Dayton, Ohio, as well as Kettering, Centerville, and Springboro. You can read more about both of these types of care here.
When you need Dayton, Ohio senior care services, trust Miami Valley Homecare
We understand the difficulties that come with getting extra help for an aging parent, and we’re here to provide it with the utmost empathy, care, and attentiveness. Contact us with any questions or request an assessment now.
