When talking with an aging parent, it can often be hard to know when your help is needed. Your parent may appear stoic and pretend that everything is fine – this makes it even harder to see the truth when speaking to them from a distance. They may only ask for help when help is too late. It can be challenging for parents to ask for assistance when they have been assisting you through life. Understanding that this is a vulnerable situation for your parents can help you identify red flags which demonstrate an aging parent may need help at home. Some of the most common warning signs of this circumstance are listed below.
Daily Visits
When an individual grows old, routine tasks such as showering, bathing, and dressing can become more difficult each day. In addition, as motor skills begin to weaken, personal hygiene becomes more of a chore for the elderly. Recognizing when a parent does not appear to maintain proper grooming can demonstrate that they may need help at home.
Physical Changes
Another common sign that an aging parent may need help at home can be noticeable physical changes. These changes can manifest by experiencing drastic weight loss, sleeping through the day, or not maintaining proper hygiene. You may notice that they have not showered or bathed by noticing body odor or greasy hair. These are common signs that your parent has had difficulty maintaining a normal lifestyle.
House and Yard
When it is difficult for older adults to maintain their physical appearance, other parts of their lives will not receive the same amount of upkeep. For example, it may be too difficult for your parent to mow the lawn or water the flowers. It may even be too tricky to complete household chores, such as washing dishes or vacuuming. Understanding that these signals can demonstrate a need for assistance can be crucial in giving the help that they need.
Mood Changes
When a parent begins recognizing that they cannot do all the basic things that were once simple to them, it may take an emotional toll. These thoughts can cause a lack of drive, a loss of interest in hobbies they once loved, and an increase in irritability. Notice that your parent seems more irritable or less motivated. It may be an important time to reach out for assistance.
Developing Cognitive Impairment
- While a proper diagnosis is critical in confirming when a parent develops a cognitive impairment, it is still essential to look for signals of these diseases. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Forgetfulness can include forgetting to take medications or incorrect dosages
- Memory lapses
- Increased confusion
- Consistently making poor judgment decisions
- Difficulty performing routine tasks
- Frequently getting lost or often misplacing possessions
- Inability to communicate clearly by repeating things or by forgetting to finish sentences
- Inability to remember names of familiar people or objects
Bruising and Wounds
Bruises, marks, and wounds can develop when your parent has had difficulty remaining mobile. These wounds can occur when they walk around their house or even outside their home. Understanding that this may mean that they cannot easily walk from place to place is another indication that they might need help at home.
What Do I Do?
Having a conversation with your parent on this matter is crucial to getting them the help they need. For some situations, the fix may be as simple as hiring lawn care services or other services that help take care of more complex chores. A parent may even need a new glasses prescription. However, there may be times when more intervention is necessary. Understanding your parent’s desires and working with local resources is very important to get the best help possible for your circumstances. There are various levels of care possible with little intervention to daily check-ins if desired. The correct decision will come from working with your parent and local resources.
Aspire Home Health and Hospice Visits
During the first visit, a nurse or therapist will assess the patient and develop a professional opinion about the patient’s circumstances. After we conduct this thorough assessment, the nurse or therapist often teaches different methods to the patient to help assist in their journey to healing. This teaching will give the tools available that will help manage their health. If more intervention is necessary, we recommend additional care such as home health or hospice. Home health and hospice are 100% covered by traditional Medicaid, Medicare, and many other insurance plans for those who qualify. In addition, these in-home caregiver services in Salt Lake City are made available through the social security system. Aspire Home Health will also take care of all the Medicare billing for in-home caregivers.
With these thoughts in mind, Aspire Home Health & Hospice hopes to give you an added sense of ability to assist the wants and needs your loved one may face during a time of uncertainty. Aspire Home Health & Hospice can provide more information about our treatment and the process of admitting a loved one to our services. Give us a call today to learn more.
