I’m asked this question so many times.  When do you think I need help for my parents? Sometimes seniors ask this question as well? (Do I need Home Care or should I move?)

It’s a tricky answer there are few factors to consider:

• Where do you currently live?
• Can you still drive?
• How do you receive your meals/groceries?
• How often are you engaging in conversations with people?
• Do you have family close by checking in on you?
• Do you feel mentally strong enough to recognize scams over phone or in person?
• Are you still handling your own bills and banking?

As a child of a parent you may ask these questions or noticed these signs:

Changes in Physical Function and Mental Status

• Difficulty keeping track of time
• Sleeping for most of the day
• Poor diet or weight loss
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Changes in mood or extreme mood swings
• Difficulty getting up from a seated position
• Difficulty with walking, balance and mobility
• Unexplained bruising or injuries
• Marks or wear on walls, door jams, furniture and other items being used to help with stability while walking through the home
• Uncertainty and confusion when performing once-familiar tasks
• Forgetfulness, including forgetting to take medications or taking incorrect dosages
• Missing important appointments
• Consistent use of poor judgment (e.g. falling for scams or sales pitches, giving away money)

Poor Personal Hygiene

• Unpleasant body odor
• Infrequent showering or bathing
• A strong smell of urine in the house or on clothing
• Noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care (e.g. unkempt hair, untrimmed nails, lack of oral care, wearing dirty or stained clothing)

Neglecting Household Responsibilities

• Little or no fresh, healthy food in the fridge
• Dirty house and/or extreme clutter
• Dirty laundry piling up
• Stains or wet spots on furniture or carpet
• Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away
• Stacks of unopened mail or an overflowing mailbox
• Late payment notices, bounced checks and calls from bill collectors
• Utilities being turned off due to missed payments
• Unexplained dents and scratches on their car

Signs a Senior Needs Help at Home

Noticing any of these signs does not mean your senior needs to be in a nursing home or living assisted center. These signs are just makers. Markers indicating changes are happening and what steps can we put in place to help this senior still live independently?

Maybe its home care for a few hours a week or may be its a few more visits or calls to remind them of certain details. One option is to identify how to safety proof the house or apartment and how to implement triggers/schedules for your senior. 

So don’t go running scared, ready to sell the farm; rather have serious discussions of what you can do for your senior to help them navigate to their new normal.

Stay Inspired,

Shonda