Older people are resistant to change—especially when it comes to caretaking. They feel a lack of control over their lives, which can be frustrating, and leads to denial about their declining abilities.
As someone who wants the best for their elderly parents, hiring homecare services is definitely your best bet. Knowing they’re being cared for by trained experts can take some weight off your shoulders.
Here are some telltale signs that your elderly parents need 24-hour care:
They Look Different
There are around 6.5 million elderly people in the US who currently have depression. Elderly folks who are depressed tend to neglect themselves.
If you begin to notice poor hygiene, a bad odor, an unshaven face, and dirty clothes, then you know they haven’t been looking after themselves.
Senior individuals often struggle with a lack of purpose and motivation. Without a purpose, they have little willpower to focus on mental health and improve their quality of life. At some level, they’ve accepted that their health is going to decline. They experience physical, emotional, and social changes that are difficult to deal with and directly impact their quality of life.
If you see changes in their appearance, take it as a sign that they need help.
They’re Losing Weight
All older people lose muscle mass, but a drastic loss in weight is a cause for concern.
A sudden loss of weight could indicate reduced appetite or that they’re unable to prepare meals or do groceries, in which case you’re going to need to step in and offer help. Either hire a cook or send them meals that can be frozen and stored in the fridge until they need them.
A Pile of Dirty Laundry
A big pile of dirty laundry sitting on top of their couch could mean that your aging parents don’t have the energy to wash their clothes, or that they are in too much pain to do so.
It gets even worse when they’ve lost their spouse and are struggling with loneliness and don’t have the motivation to get out of bed.
They’ve got Unpaid Bills
Ignoring hygiene and piles of laundry is one thing, but unpaid bills can have long-term consequences.
If you see unopened letters and notices for bills lying around, then it’s time to step in. You may want to redirect the bills to your home so your aging parents don’t have to worry about them.
Memory Lapses
Memory lapses are a cause for concern among elderly parents. Although not all memory loss is an indicator of Alzheimer’s, it is a sign of cognitive decline. Cognitive decline can be prevented with mental stimulation from social activities and physical exercise—so encourage them to get out more.
Your parents may also be forgetting to take their medication, which will directly impact their health; they can’t afford to miss dosages at their age.
If you notice any of the above signs, it’s best to hire a 24-hour caretaker for your aging parents. A caretaker can help them with basic tasks they need to perform to improve their quality of life.
Bethesda Elite Care offers various senior care services in Long Island, NY. We provide personal care aides that help with chores, errands, bathing, etc. We also offer registered nursing care for seniors that require 24 hour healthcare services.
Contact us at 631-503-7209 for more information.
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