5 Signs Your Parent Can’t Live Alone Anymore
Should your parent be living alone? This article highlights the 5 signs to look for.
Like all people, seniors take great comfort in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. However, if an aging parent lives alone, they may begin to show signs of having increasing difficulty managing the tasks of everyday living safely. When this happens, it is crucial that loved ones recognize it and take immediate action to ensure the well-being of the senior they love.
Let’s look at 5 signs that could indicate your parent can’t live alone safely anymore
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5 Signs Your Parent Can’t Live Alone Anymore
Overall Condition of the Home
If your parent always kept a clean and tidy home and suddenly does not, this is a good indication that something is wrong. This change in behavior could be caused by their physical capabilities diminishing, or a developing cognitive deficit that should be looked into right away. All humans are creatures of habit, and if your parent starts behaving differently than the person you’ve always known, it’s time to question the situation.
Neglecting to Pay Bills
If your mom or dad was always responsible about paying bills and that has changed, it could be a sign of trouble. While this situation could be affected by mobility issues, it is most likely an indication of a developing cognitive decline. If you notice your parent is not keeping up with their bills, have a gentle, non-confrontational conversation about it. Their explanation should shed light on what the issue seems to be.
Sudden Falls or Unexplained Injuries
One of the most common occurrences in the aging process is a diminished sense of balance and falling. If your parent tells you that they fell, but has some trivial reason why it happened, you’ll want to find out more. Learn exactly how and when the fall occurred. Ask if this was the first time or has happened previously.
In addition, if you discover unexpected bruising on your parent or other injuries, immediate action needs to be taken. Try and uncover the reasons why this is occurring and do all you can to make your parent feel comfortable talking about it. Everyone has their pride, and your mom or dad might be embarrassed about the topic. Assure them that you are only wanting to help keep them safe.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss in a senior could indicate that they are not eating properly or not getting the daily nutrition they need. There could be many reasons for this, such as inadequate meal preparation, forgetting to eat, or they might be sick and not even know it. Monitor your loved one’s daily intake of food, and if they are losing weight which cannot be explained, seek medical attention right away.
Change in Physical Hygiene
One of the most common signs of a person who should no longer live alone is a sudden decline in physical hygiene habits. Not bathing, brushing teeth or wearing clean clothes could be a sign of a senior with mobility issues.
However, this could also be a strong indication of cognitive decline. Keep a close eye on your parent’s ability to groom themselves and should a conversation be needed, do it in a loving and compassionate manner. This topic can be extremely embarrassing for them, and could invoke a harsh reaction if handled improperly.
When Aging Parents Can’t Live Alone, Frontier Senior Living is Here to Help
For many seniors, the ability to live independently and safely is a matter of pride and the way to maintain their independence. If you notice any of these 5 signs of your parent not being able to live alone safely, be sure to speak up about it. It’s only natural to not want to “rock the boat” when it comes to your relationship with mom and dad, but postponing addressing the issue could be extremely detrimental to their long term well-being.
The highly knowledgeable, experienced, and compassionate team at Frontier has helped many families find a way to keep their loved ones healthy and safe, while providing them the opportunity to maintain the independence they love so much. If your parent is resistant to the idea of looking into a senior living community, you are not alone. We are happy to be an information resource for you.
If you would like to learn more about our services, we cordially invite you to visit one of our beautiful communities, take a tour and speak with our friendly staff.
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