When humans grow older, it is natural to need more assistance or help especially with day to day activities. After all, many things become more difficult with physical and cognitive deterioration. However, these changes are not always apparent and your loved one may not realize that they need support in taking care of themselves.
To make sure that your loved one is getting the help that they need, keep an eye out for these signs.
Change In Hygiene Upkeep
When you drop by for a family gathering, make sure to take note of your loved one’s appearance and compare it to how they previously took care of themselves. For example, if they are starting to develop body odor, have unkempt hair or facial hair, dirty clothes, or even outfits that do not suit the season. These are all signs that they might be neglecting their personal hygiene and that there is possibly something wrong.
Unopened Mail or Unpaid Bills
If you find that there is a large stack of mail that is unopened or that their credit card and utility bills have been neglected for months, it is a worrying sign that your loved one is not taking care of themselves. If you have a chance to look through the different letters, you might find other issues like past due notices, bank statements and even possibly letters from collection agencies. This can be a sign of many possible issues like vision issues, memory loss, to even a gradual loss of interest in dealing with financial upkeep.
Expired Food or Lack of Food
When visiting someone who lives alone, it is also important that you take a look at the pantry and fridge. Make sure that there are different options available to them for both meals and snacks, and that the food is not moldy or going bad. Even if they are someone who gets takeout or food delivery often, there should be snack and breakfast options like crackers. If you are also noticing that they look malnourished or have lost a significant amount of weight, it might be important to take steps to ensure that they have the groceries they need or for further support at home.
Car Accidents
If your loved one is currently still driving themselves around, take note of the condition of their car. Are there any dents, scrapes, or signs that they have been in an accident? Make sure to also take a look at the area that they normally park in – are there signs in the garage and driveway that they may have bumped into the different structures? While driving is a source of freedom that is important for many seniors, an increase in accidents is a firm sign that it is time to give up driving and to start looking for alternative modes of transportation.
Enjoy Assisted Living with Discovery Commons Cypress Point
At Discovery Commons Cypress Point, we understand that it is difficult to balance between independence and getting assistance with activities that they were once able to do by themselves. In our senior living community, we offer different exclusive senior living programs that allow our residents to have the assistance they need as well as easy access to activities that are fun and meaningful. For more information on how we may be able to value add to you or your loved one’s retirement, contact us today.
