Often
children of aging parents are unaware that their mom or dad is not getting the
daily care they need. As it can be an
important factor in preventing serious problems down the road, the Mayo Clinic
has put together eight warning signs for families to look for in regard to
aging parents or relatives.
The
first question they recommend you ask yourself is, “Are your parents taking
care of themselves? There are several
clues that can help to answer this question such as are they caring for their
personal hygiene and is their house looking neglected and in disarray?
Secondly,
they suggest you look for signs of memory loss.
While some loss of memory is normal as we age, there is a difference between
normal changes in memory and that associated with Alzheimer's disease and other
types of dementia. If memory loss just involves
misplacing items or forgetting appointments as opposed to altogether forgetting
words or getting lost in a familiar neighborhood, it is most likely normal.
Now
think about if your parents are safe at home.
Go room to room to look for problems that may exist or get help from an
agency that has experience in senior home safety. If your parent has fallen recently, address the
unsafe conditions immediately. Also
check if they can read directions on their medicine containers.
Another
thing the Mayo Clinic cautions about is to make sure your aging parent is safe
on the road. Have they been involved in
an accident recently and/or do they become confused when driving?
Have
you noticed a recent weight loss? This
can be a symptom of an underlying health problem or it may be a sign your
parent is having trouble preparing and cooking food. Certain medications can cause a loss of smell
or taste, which can interfere with the pleasure of eating so they may not have
much of an appetite.
Has
there been a noticeable change in your parent’s mood? This can be a sign of depression or other
health issues. Also inquire about the
amount of socialization they are getting.
Is your parent regularly connecting with friends and does he/she have
activities that get them out of the house?
Lastly,
take time to assess your parent’s mobility.
Are they unsteady on their feet? Do
they have difficulty walking any length of distance, and could
they benefit from using a cane or walker?
Keep in mind that falls are a major cause of disabilities for
seniors.
If
you think your parent needs help, contact a home care agency such as SYNERGY
HomeCare. We can provide your mom or dad
the care they need to live comfortably and safely in their own home.
*Our
post is for information purposes only and not a substitute for seeking medical
advice.
At
SYNERGY HomeCare, we are one of the most trusted names in home care in Colorado
serving the Front Range since 2006. We have grown to 5 offices and will be
adding 2 more locations in 2015 and our successful growth can be summarized by
one word, "Service". Our mission is to ensure that every
client is treated with the upmost respect and dignity, and we strive to
incorporate those beliefs into all of our home health care services. We are
available 24/7 to listen to your unique story and provide you answers to all
your questions.
Source:mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/aging-parents/art-20044126
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