It’s only understandable for people with aging parents to worry when it’s the best time to step in and provide help. Not that they haven’t been helping before, but providing specialized support when it comes to their health and safety.
Most of the time, telling their children that they need help is the last thing aging parents will do. And yet it is one of the most important aspects of growing older. Asking for help may be awkward or challenging, and it becomes even more difficult as we get older.
Unfortunately, most adult children only realize that their aging parents need help when it’s too late. It’s usually when something terrible happens, but that shouldn’t be the case.
The good news is if you know which signs to look for, you can be more proactive about your aging parent’s care. Thus, providing the help that they need before they even ask for it. With that in mind, here are some signs to look out for so you’ll know when to step in.
Sudden loss in weight can mean several things like inadequate nutrition, not eating enough, or forgetting to eat. These symptoms are often visible to those who are suffering from early dementia or depression. It can also be a sign of an undiagnosed medical condition, such as some forms of cancer.
Another sign to take note of is if their house is uncharacteristically cluttered, dirty, and disorganized. You may see the lawn untended and garbage not collected. It could be a sign that they can’t perform the usual house chores due to physical ailments or mental health issues. Look for other signs, too, like urine odors in the house, which can signal incontinence.
Not scheduling and attending doctor’s appointments can be a sign of confusion. Cognitive impairment or a lack of care are sometimes a part of it, too. These symptoms can be dangerous. It’s true, especially if they have medical conditions that need further diagnosis or supervision.
Observe your parents and see if they can manage their medications, like refilling them and taking them on time. Suppose they find it challenging to keep up with their prescriptions. In that case, they may need help if they can’t follow medical directions, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it can also be a sign that your aging parents need help.
If you have observed some or all the signs given above, then you might be asking yourself what you should do next. It may be the time for you to have a conversation with your aging parents about stepping in and offering them your help.
This conversation may be challenging to have, but it’s a conversation that must happen if you want what’s best for them. You may start to check in on your parents more often than before.
Yet, it’s challenging for adult children to keep everything together for their aging parents when they, too, have a life and a family of their own to manage. That’s where the need for professional help becomes more apparent.
It’s understandable not to have enough time to look after your aging parents appropriately. Even you may lack the proper skills to provide them with medical care like trained professionals. That’s why it’s in your and your parent’s best interest to seek help from senior care facilities or communities.
Retirement homes can provide the medical care and supervision that aging parents need. It’s a practical option so that you won’t have to worry about them missing their medication. More so, it’ll also protect them from incurring any preventable medical emergencies.
Senior care housing can also provide a sense of community for your aging parents that only people from the same age bracket can give them. They will have the best activities for seniors in assisted living to fill their day so they will feel entertained while also getting supervised care and attention. These things will make you feel at ease knowing your aging parent is receiving the proper care that they need. Your parents deserve the best care there is, and senior care communities may be the perfect answer to that.
At Bahama Bay Club, we offer a senior care community like no other. Our senior care facilities are open to seniors looking to enjoy this next chapter of their lives without worry. Get in touch with us today to learn more. info@bahamabayclub.com