It’s reasonable that older people prefer to stay in their homes and maintain their freedom. We also understand that you may not want to argue with your parent who is adamant about living alone. However, there may come a moment when a living situation must alter for the safeguarding of a family member. Keep a lookout for these symptoms that an elderly parent or relative should no longer be living alone.
Driving Issues
Driving is often a sign of self-reliance and liberation. That’s precisely why older folks who have driving issues may be hesitant to confess concerns. Accidents, inexplicable dents and scratches, and uncertainty regarding road signs or at intersections are all symptoms that driving is slowly becoming a problem. Driving when impaired is dangerous and can result in catastrophic fatalities.
Starting to Wander
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six out of ten persons with dementia will roam. Wandering isn’t only about getting out of the house. Some folks get confused or can’t navigate their way home when driving to locations they’re accustomed to. If your family member has been diagnosed with dementia and has a tendency to stray, you will need to put in place precautionary measures as well as regular monitoring to avoid this.
Extreme Weight Loss
If your parent appears to be leaner than normal, it might be a clue that they aren’t eating adequately. People with memory problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease, frequently skip certain meals or lose track of how to effectively handle and prepare their food, resulting in weight loss. If this is true, you should think about relocating them to an assisted living community where well-balanced meals are properly taken care of.
Lack of Personal Hygiene
Basic grooming is something you will recognize as quickly as you see them, which is a severe warning that a family member should not be living alone if they are not taking care of their appearance. The reason may be physical in some circumstances, and psychological in others; either way, it isn’t ideal. One of the most prominent symptoms is that they discontinue taking showers.
Changes in Their Apartment
If your mom was always a little untidy, a messy house isn’t exactly a negative indication. Nonetheless, if she abruptly stops keeping order after a history of doing so, it might be a symptom of a deeper cognitive problem.
Also, keep an eye out for products that appear in unexpected areas throughout the house, such as a carton of milk in the laundry machine rather than the fridge. Developments like these are some of the most obvious indicators of dementia, and they might be a warning that your older relative is no longer safe being left at home unattended.
It might be tough to bring up the notion of hiring a home helper or relocating your parent to an assisted living community. Ask your loved ones how they’re feeling and whether they’ve observed any personal behavioral changes. You can then introduce the concept of seeking assistance. Because people with failing cognition frequently don’t realize anything is wrong, it’s necessary to take things slowly and consider their viewpoint rather than forcing an idea on them.
