As time passes, the people you love, especially beloved senior citizens, may require a little extra assistance to maintain their independence and well-being.
As caregivers or children of senior adults, it is essential to be attentive and recognize the signs that your elderly parent or grandparent might need help at home. Fortunately, there are physical signs you can look for that point to the decline in their health and the need for help.
Here are five signs a senior citizen needs help at home.
Changes in Physical Appearance and Hygiene
One of the most apparent signs an elderly parent needs help at home is a noticeable change in their physical appearance and personal hygiene.
Pay attention to any sudden weight loss, disheveled clothing, or neglect of personal grooming. If your parent or grandparent consistently appears unkempt, it could be an indication they are struggling to manage daily tasks independently and may require assistance.
Decline in Home Maintenance
Besides their appearance, be sure to watch out for a decline in home maintenance. Much like how their clothes and hygiene say a lot about their capabilities, so too can their home.
A senior’s home can often provide valuable insights into their well-being. If you notice an unkempt yard, unopened mail piling up, or a generally cluttered living space, it may be time to step in and offer some help. These signs might suggest the senior is having difficulty keeping up with household chores, which can compromise their safety and overall quality of life.
Forgetfulness and Cognitive Issues
Forgetfulness and cognitive issues are some of the most crucial signs your parent needs help at home.
Although memory lapses and cognitive decline are common concerns as people age, if you notice that these issues impact their ability to manage daily activities, it’s crucial to address them as soon as possible.
This forgetfulness can manifest itself in terms of missing appointments, forgetting to take medications, or repeating the same stories frequently. Be sure to be wary of these symptoms.
Unexplained Bruises or Injuries
Apart from their mental deterioration, keep an eye out for their physical well-being and pay attention if they have unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries on their body.
Frequent accidents or falls can be a sign of physical decline or difficulty in managing mobility. To avoid further injuries, it’s crucial to ensure their living environment is safe and supportive. If not, you can also consider additional care options to protect them from harm.
Social Withdrawal
Finally, try to gauge the social behavior of your senior loved one. If you notice them withdrawing socially or no longer taking joy in things they once enjoyed, you might be seeing signs your grandparent needs help at home.
Seniors who once enjoyed an active social life may start to withdraw from social activities and isolate themselves. This withdrawal can lead to loneliness, which might lead to depression and other emotional issues.
To solve this issue, try to encourage and support your parents or grandparents to stay connected with friends and community events as social interaction is crucial for their mental and emotional health.
Alternatively, another great option is to set them up in a retirement community that can provide them with the support and services they need to thrive. If you are looking for a retirement community that does just that, consider Brookridge today!