The hustle and bustle of everyday life can make it difficult for adult children to make frequent visits to their parents; however, the holiday season often provides the perfect opportunity to check on your loved ones. More often than not, adult children visiting their parents typically notice a few cognitive problems or behavioral issues but dismiss them as minor incidents; however, episodes of memory issues or abnormal movements are parts of a larger puzzle that most individuals are unable to see. If you are visiting your loved one, here is a guide of important signs to look for that indicate your loved one may need a senior living community.
Hygiene Issues
When you head home for the holidays, do you notice an odor in your loved one’s home or on your loved one? Do they appear to be showering? Are their clothes clean? Are their nails clean? Any of these signs, which would indicate your loved one is neglecting cleanliness may be a sign that they may benefit from placement in a senior living community, where quality, personal caretakers can keep an eye out to ensure your loved one is provided the level of care they need.
State of the Home
Does your loved one have an unkempt home or yard? Have they taken out the trash? Is the family pet well cared for? These may be a signs that your loved one could use extra support. In a senior living community, housekeeping is taken care of and your loved one has additional time to enjoy their favorite hobbies.
Behavioral Changes
If your loved one more frequently experiences episodes of depression or anxiety, as well as severe mood swings, it would be good to receive therapy or seek other professional help. Additionally, helping them finding a community in which they can interact with like-minded individuals can also help with anxiety or depression.
Forgetfullness
Does your loved one find that after they have been reminded of something, they can’t seem to keep it in their mind, particularly short term thoughts and memories? If they forget something once or twice and the answer has been made obvious to them, they should be able to hold this in their mind subsequently. If they keep finding that they keep forgetting the same thing despite repeated reminders, they may be experiencing signs of dementia.
Mobility Issues
Does your loved one experience issues moving from one room to the other? In this case, they may benefit from a senior community, where experienced caregivers can help consult on transportation and mobility, and help preserve your loved one’s dignity.
Caregiver Burnout
Does your elderly loved one help handle care for their spouse? Oftentimes, the pressure of this role can cause caregiver burnout, which may cause your loved one to become frustrated with their spouse. A move to a senior community can help your loved one become the spouse again instead of playing the caregiver role…and in turn improve their quality of life!
Holiday Giving
During the holiday season, there is nothing more gratifying then giving back to those in need; however, oftentimes, finances are tight for seniors and their loved ones. During the holiday season, many telemarketers take the opportunity to prey on delightful, giving seniors. Ensuring your loved one’s outgoing donations are only going to reputable organizations, and are within their means, are critical.
If you are looking for a senior living community for your loved one, find the Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care community closest to you on our community locations page and contact us to get in touch with a Senior Lifestyle Counselor.
