Does my mother or father need assisted living?

Does my mother or father need assisted living?  We have compiled a list of signs to monitor for:

1. Do you notice your loved one losing weight?  Weight loss can happen for a number of reasons.  It may be the person no longer feels hungry or thirsty, which is a sign of health decline.  Is it possible they are having trouble shopping for food?  You may see outdated pantry items such as expired milk and stale bread.  Also, preparing a meal can be troublesome if they fatigue easily or forget the steps to cook.  Sometimes an underlying illness may be the cause of weight loss.
2. Do you notice a change in hygiene?  You may notice your loved one having an increased body odor, hair that is not groomed, dirty hands or face, or unshaved facial hair.  Do they often wear the same clothes every time you visit?  It may be due to dementia, fear of falling in the shower, or not remembering how to complete those tasks.
3. Do you notice a pile of mail, stacked laundry, or unwashed dishes?  Let’s face it: housekeeping and laundry is not always a favorite task, even at a younger age, but it may be overwhelming to an elderly person.  Not only could they forget how to complete tasks, but the effort to complete them may be overly exhausting.  There may also be another environmental concern within the home such as a broken faucet, washer, etc. that they are unsure how to repair or who to call.
4. Do you notice a change in activity? A once very active individual may suddenly stop what were regular activities. While there may be many reasonable contributing factors for why they have not gone out or why they have abandoned their favorite pastime, it is important to consider whether health factors are involved. Your loved one might be concerned for their own safety or from worry that driving may be more difficult for them, especially during winter. They may be anxious of getting lost on their usual route or having a traffic accident. Overall health changes related to an underlying or progression of disease may make trips more exhausting.
5. Do you notice bumps, scrapes, bruises, or have been told about a fall? Falls can occur due to many different issues. Environmental concerns such as slick floors or clutter may contribute. If so, addressing those issues may be of great help. However, side effects from medications or taking them incorrectly may be involved causing dizziness. Illness, low blood sugar or blood pressure, or an injury may be less noticeable.  Dehydration and malnutrition can weaken muscle tone resulting in a fall.
6. Do you notice behavioral or mood changes? If your mother or father is normally pleasant but has now become irritable, more confused, or wanders it may be due to dementia. Dehydration is a common cause of confusion, as well as medications taken incorrectly. If a loved one is more depressed or tearful it may be from a worsening disease, loneliness, or inability to complete beloved or regular tasks.
7. Do you notice financial changes? In this day and age we can be bombarded with telemarketers, postcards claiming we have won an all-expenses-paid trip to Cancun, or fraudulent notices from “the IRS” regarding back taxes, so it is very important to monitor finances. If you notice thank you cards from charities, checks written to unknown persons, or a dwindling bank account, it could signal a vulnerability. Additional warning signs may include, your loved one discussing someone you do not know stopping by to visit or of a neighbor wanting to borrow a prescription medication.
8. Do you notice medications being filled too soon or late? Medication errors are the hardest to spot if not placed in medication containers with times and days to be taken. An elderly person may forget if they have taken their morning meds and take them again or not take them all together. Medication errors can result in dizziness, low blood pressure, dehydration, heart problems, difficulty breathing and overdose.
9. Do you notice confusion? If your loved one may confuse you with their brother or sister or ask about their deceased parents, they may have dementia. Frequently, persons with dementia will revert back to behaviors or memories more common from their younger years. Confusion is an indication that they are at risk for making medication errors, have poor judgment, or becoming lost on once-familiar routes. This may even result in an elderly person going missing after leaving their home.
10. Do you notice burnt pans, irons left on, exterior doors left open or water left running? The risks of fire, flood, and home invasion are increased safety concerns as a loved one’s response to an emergency may be slow or ineffective. It is easy to be overwhelmed when faced with a problem if not planned. With increased confusion, a person may not remember how to escape a burning home or what to do if someone enters the house.
11. Has it taken longer for your loved one to recover from a common cold or a recent procedure?  An overall health decline, lost calories, or lack of mobility can delay recovery of an illness or injury.
12. Finally, if you are a caregiver, do you find yourself getting overwhelmed? Do you find yourself needing to devote an increasing amount of time to provide adequate care for your loved one? Are your caregiving responsibilities disrupting your life balance, resulting in other priorities being put off?

If you find yourself answering “yes” to many of these questions above, additional care may be necessary. Professional care, perhaps through a licensed facility like Sage Grove, can improve the quality of life and reduce the potential for emergencies. Schedule a free assessment by contacting Sage Grove today.