How do you know if your aging loved one is in need of new living arrangements? | | Signs to look for:
Isolation/Depression
Not leaving the house much
Not eating well
Sleeping too much, or having difficulty sleeping
Not enjoying usual activities
Trouble with Daily Activities
Wearing the same clothes (may be having trouble with dressing or doing laundry)
Decline in personal hygiene (trouble with bathing)
Decline in weight (difficulty preparing or eating meals)
Unkept house (having trouble bending over to pick things up, unable to manage housekeeping duties)
Decline in Mental Status
Unopened or unpaid bills (unable to manage checkbook)
Finding items in "unusual" places (dirty dishes in the cupboard, clean clothes in the hamper, etc)
Dressing inappropriately (wearing summer clothes in the winter, pajamas during the day, shoes untied)
Medication errors (mixing up medication, taking them incorrectly) or missed Dr. Appointments
Getting lost frequently (asking for directions to a familiar location, taking a long time to arrive at their destination)
Increased "forgetfullness" (look for unpaid bills, spoiled food in the fridge or burned pans in the sink - they may be forgetting to turn the stove off!)
Increasing Medical Needs
Needing daily or weekly treatments such as dialysis, or physical rehabilitiation
Daily medication regime is becoming complex or difficult to manage
Uncomfortable with medical equipment (such as oxygen concentrator or tanks)
Needing close monitoring of health status (blood pressure, illness, etc)
Increased Falls
Difficulty walking or getting around
Difficulty getting into or out of chairs, couch, bed, car
Watch for "unexplained" bruises and/or cuts
Caregiver "Burnout"
Caregiver or family member exhausted and unable to keep up with needs of aging loved one.
Sometimes there are situations that can be improved and the aging parent/loved one is able to stay in their home safely.
Things such as grab bars and shower chairs in the bathroom may be all they need to help them with their bathing. Hiring a cleaning lady to help with vacuuming and laundry or rearranging furniture to clear pathways and decrease the risk of falls.
Tour our Safe House for tips and ideas on how to keep your aging loved one "Safe At Home".
The most important thing to remember is their SAFETY. If you feel they are no longer safe living alone, other living arrangements need and should be looked into.
For information on alternative living arrangements, please visit:
Independent Living Communities
Assisted Living Communities
Skilled Nursing Home Communities
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