10 SIGNS YOUR AGING PARENT OR ELDER NEEDS HELP

We all may know someone who has been thrust into the role of caregiver for their aging parents or an elderly loved one. And as those who have had to assume this role can surely agree this shift is a major transition. How can we prepare ourselves for this responsibility? How can we become a little more proactive? We can do this by knowing how to identify some of the tell-tale signs that may signal that our elder parents or aging lived ones may need help.

1. Changes in house keeping patterns: Has your parent or elder always maintained a certain house keeping pattern that is beginning to change? This change could be happening for a variety of reasons, but it is important to raise your level of awareness if you see this happening.

2. Finances: Are bills not being paid on time? Are there issues with the primary backing accounts?

3. Weight Loss: Is there noticeable weight loss? Can it be because your aging parent or loved one can not cook or shop on their own? Do you notice that the food in the house is outdated or close to spoiling?

4. Burns & Bruises: Does your aging parent or elder have unusual black and blue bruises on their body? This could be an indication that they may have fallen or have trouble moving from place to place in the home. Any burns may indicate that your elders may have problems cooking.

5. Poor hygiene: Do you notice changes in the bathing, dressing and grooming or toileting habits of your elder or aging parent? Are they wearing the same clothes often or even wearing clothing that may be inappropriate?

6. Moving from place to place: Does your aging parent have problems moving from one room to the other or navigating the kitchen? Are they having problems walking and doing normal tasks like checking the mail?

7. Forgetfulness: Is your aging parent forgetting appointments? Are your elders forgetting things like returning calls, what trash day is, are they frequently misplacing things, can't recall names of familiar people or objects, etc?

8. Depression: Does your aging parent or elder seem sad or withdrawn more than usual? Do you notice a lack of motivation?

9. Physical or Verbal abuse: Does your aging parent seem uncharacteristically volatile? Do you notice sudden verbal or physical outbursts?

10. Physical Signs: Do you notice that the car has dents and scratches or that there are stains on the carpet from spills? Do you smell a urine odor in the house(which could be a sign of incontinence)? Are there stacks of unopened mail, unfilled prescriptions or is the grass growing higher than normal?

By no means is this an exhaustive list of signs that your aging parent or elder loved one may need help. But noticing a combination of a few of these signs could help you be a little more proactive. This will assist in helping you and your aging parent or elder put together an action plan that can help make the transition to home care (if needed) a little less stressful.