Do you have an elderly parent who lives on their own in a house or apartment? Do you find yourself constantly worrying about them, hoping they are okay, they can care for themselves properly and they have everything they need? For many families at this stage, it can be difficult as how do you know when the time has come that your parent is no longer safe to live on their own?
Here are a few basic signs to watch for that should at least prompt a conversation about changing the living arrangements.
Your Parent Feels Isolated and Trapped at Home
There is nothing worse than feeling trapped in your own home. It is lonely and depressing and something you don’t want your parent to experience. Unfortunately, if they aren’t very mobile, and they have a hard time getting around, being trapped at home may be their reality. You certainly can’t be there all the time to visit with them, so then what?
Isolation and loneliness can also lead to depression, which will be much harder to address and break free of.
They Are Having a Hard Time Managing Medication
For seniors who need to take medication daily, you need to know that you can trust them to do so. Managing medication is one of the biggest concerns family members tend to have. Forgetting to take medicines for days at a time can seriously jeopardize their health.
You can try some basic steps first such as a reminder app, writing out a schedule they follow, using a pill case with the days of the week on it, and so forth, but if these aren’t enough then it’s time to consider more drastic measures.
Unable to Keep Up with Personal Hygiene
If your parent has always been on top of personal hygiene and is now showing signs of struggle and an unkempt appearance, this is another red flag. They may be having a hard time with bathing, getting dressed, and just keeping up with their daily routine.
They Aren’t Eating Regularly or Healthily
Meals can get tricky too, with your elderly parent skipping meals because there’s too much work involved, over-eating, or not eating a healthy well-balanced diet. All of these will hurt their health.
Assisted Living Can Be a Solution
Each of the signs mentioned here can be addressed with an assisted living facility. Assisted living can help seniors both physically and mentally by providing them with a safe living environment that takes the responsibility off their plate, and offers round-the-clock medical care or assistance, support, and a social atmosphere so they can connect with other seniors. You can check out options like St. Louis Hills senior living and get an idea of what assisted living would look like.
Be Alert and Watch for the Signs
The important takeaway here is to be alert, watch for signs in your parent’s behavior, and know when it’s time to step in and take things to the next stage, which could be an assisted living facility.
