Did you know that every individual turning 65 will have a 70% chance of needing a form or another of long-term care?
It might be hard for both you and your aging parent to come to terms with their decline in health or mobility. However, you need to understand that they won’t be the first ones to broach the subject and ask for assistance. Therefore, it’ll be your responsibility to identify whether your senior parent needs a type of long-term care, like assisted living.
Keep on reading for our breakdown of the top five signs that it’s time to get your aging parent the support and care they need.
- Starving Aging Parent: Where’s the Food?
One of the rather obvious signs that your parent’s mobility or energy levels are a bit too low to ignore would be an empty fridge and cupboards.
This is why making a check-in on your parent’s food situation is crucial as they age. After all, to make healthy meals, they need to drive, shop, and prepare the food. All of these tasks need moderate levels of strength, mobility, and stamina.
Not only is food an essential human need, but it’s also key to preventing injuries and mental fogginess as people age. Dealing with malnourishment comes with steep health consequences for seniors.
- Messy Place and Lack of Hygiene
Of course, there’s a huge difference between having a slightly messy home and having a dirty home that hasn’t been cleaned or maintained in ages.
If you’re starting to notice that your parent’s house looks rough, with the added condition of lack of hygiene and personal care, then it’s a glaring red flag.
Whether it’s due to memory issues or dementia, or even depression and lack of energy, it’s time to place your parents somewhere they can access the care they need.
- Roughed-up Car or Recent Car Accident
There are worrisome signs and there are signs so loud and obvious it might as well be the sound of a foghorn, screaming “danger.”
A car that looks like it’s got new bumps, or has been in a car accident are telling signs that your parent should not be driving a vehicle anymore. It’s not only a safety concern for their lives but also the safety and wellbeing of others on the road.
You’ll have to approach that one with caution, as most people in the U.S. derive a sense of independence when it comes to driving. However, you can bring in the aid of professional therapists or even other family members for a heart-to-heart talk.
- Minor Injuries
What seems like a minor injury for our healthy bodies can cause big complications and a higher risk of damage to your aging parent.
If you’re starting to notice bruises, cuts, or falls due to balance problems, then it’s time to get the help that includes a sort of daily monitoring, which assisted living can easily provide.
- Isolation and Distance
Changes in behavior like a new tendency towards isolation, and keeping a distance from their loved ones can be a sign of loneliness or other types of mental or physical struggles.
Besides, if you’re used to a parent who was the life of the party, then it’s even more of a concern. Thankfully, you can easily tap into a supportive community with assisted living.
Choosing Assisted Living for Your Parent
We understand that introducing such a concrete change into the life and routines of your aging parent will come with friction and heavy conversations.
However, after reading our top five signs and finding similarities to your parent’s case, it’s time for them to join an assisted living community. You might want to read more about the topic by checking our health and lifestyle sections for all the tips and information you need.
