FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Shelley Laurell, Director of Marketing & Communications,
SeniorLiving.Net
866-761-7602
Though her father is 1,000 miles
away, she talks with him several times a week all year long. Everything is
always "Fine" and "No" he doesn't "need anything". A visit home during the
holidays might prove differently.
One thing as constant as Santa
at the local mall during the holiday season, is the unfortunate surprise many
adult children find when they return home to visit their aging parent. They
realize their loved one isn't fine, and it might be time to find extra help and
support for them.
To help families recognize the
signs that might indicate a parent in need of help, SeniorLiving.Net has put
together a list of the Top Ten things to look for during this year's holiday
visit.
1.
A significant change in weight.
That is often an early sign that their nutrition is suffering. A
weight gain in a parent with a health condition can be just as serious as a
weight loss. A peek inside their refrigerator and cupboards can reveal a lot
about their diet. Is there anything nutritious? Also check for spoiled food.
2.
Is their normally tidy home
messy? Is trash
accumulating? Are there odors in the home? This is another indication they need
extra help.
3.
Are mail and bills piling up? If they are experiencing memory
loss, a parent might not be paying bills on time or might be paying the same
bill multiple times.
4.
Check out their car. If a parent still drives, one way
to know how they are doing is to look at the condition of their car. Is it full
of dents and scrapes? That is a good indication it might be time to begin
talking about giving up the keys.
5.
How does your parent's
appearance compare to last year? Is a normally meticulously groomed mother disheveled? Is her grooming incomplete?
Are the clothes she is wearing appropriate for the time of day and the weather
outside? These are all things to look for during your visit.
6.
Engaged with friends and the
community.
Depression is common among the elderly. If a normally active parent seems less
willing or interested in the world around them, it might be an indication of a
problem.
7.
Are they evading questions? If memory loss is becoming an
issue for them, they may evade answering your questions. One parent may cover
for another, as well. Pay attention to responses to questions. Memory loss that
interferes with life is not a normal part of aging.
8.
Compliance with medications. This can be tougher to check, but
making sure their medicines are being taken on schedule is important. Look at
the date on the bottle, and the daily dosage. Compare the numbers with what is
left in the bottle.
9.
Lost or misplaced items. When someone is living with
memory loss, it is common to misplace items. Reading glasses end up in the
freezer and keys in the dishwasher. They might even think someone has been
"stealing" from them.
10.
Change in disposition. When a normally upbeat parent
becomes anxious in a crowd at the mall or easily tearful, it can be a sign that
something is wrong. "Crabby" isn't a typical part of the aging process.
Recognizing more than one or two
of these symptoms in an aging parent can be difficult to accept, but the
solutions are sometimes simple ones. Being proactive now can help to prevent a
crisis. It might be as easy as arranging a private duty aide to spend a few
hours a week helping your loved one with light housekeeping or arranging for
Meals on Wheels to deliver. The web is full of information that can help
families get started.
SeniorLiving.Net is a free family referral service. We own the top ranked
"assisted living" and "nursing home" sites on the web (AssistedLivingInfo.com &
NursingHomeInfo.com). Each of our Care Advisors has an average of ten years of
senior care experience. They help families find the care provider who best meets
their needs whatever the level of care - from private duty aides to assisted
living and skilled rehab.
For free advice from an
experienced Care Advisor, visit us at:
www.SeniorLiving.Net or call us at 866-342-4297.
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