As your parents grow old, you see a lot of changes in them. Whether it is physically, biologically, even emotionally.
It can be difficult to see your parents in the same pair of pajamas for weeks. But it is what it is, and you will have to look after them.
Nothing is more important than parents in life.
And if you notice something really unusual, you should take immediate action to help your parents out.
What are the signs we are talking about? Keep reading to know more!
1. Being confused performing daily activities
The first and most prominent signs that will tell you they need round-the-clock assistance is by seeing the way they have been performing their daily activities.
Seeing confused, disorganized, and uncertain are not really good signs to start off.
These are warning signals that something unfortunate can go wrong in the near future.
Daily activities include brushing, bathing, dressing, and other stuff that one needs to do every day. If you find them appearing lost while performing these duties, you might just think about assisted care facilities!
2. Being forgetful
While we all forget some things every once in a while, forgetfulness is actually a sign that your parents will soon be needing help.
Losing and misplacing things of actual importance like keys, wallets, and other items on a regular basis means that something is wrong. While it is common, it is one of the few things that you definitely cannot ignore.
3. Poor medication management
This can be disturbing but, those aged 65 to 69 take an average of 15 prescriptions per year, while those from 80 to 84 take an average of 18, according to the American Association of Consultant Pharmacists.
As disturbing it is, it is the truth. However, what can be more strenuous is when your loved ones forget to take medicines and bear the brunt.
So, if your parents are on some kind of medication, you definitely don’t want them to miss the pills and follow a proper medication schedule. Look into whether they are taking their pills when they are supposed to.
4. Not following proper house maintenance
As your parents grow old, their house needs more maintenance, which includes vacuuming, dusting, bed making, above the normal things to maintain the apartment.
But if your parents are struggling to do so, it’s definitely a red flag!
You need to bring your elderly parent to a doctor to determine any health problems, such as hypothyroidism, arthritis, or any chronic condition that could be causing pain and lack of energy.
In the meantime, you can hire a residential cleaner to ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of your parent’s house.
5. Missing their regular doctor checks and appointments
Needless to say, aging parents frequently visit doctors and hospitals, for obvious reasons.
However, it is seen that they start missing the appointments, either due to forgetfulness, like mentioned above, or sheer laziness and poor zeal to do so.
Whatever the reason might be, it is not a good sign, for you, as well as your parents.
So, it’s important to call your elderly parents regularly.
You should also be aware of the appointment schedule of your mom or dad and collaborate with the doctor to message you if your parent missed an appointment.
In this way, you can respond immediately and check your elderly parents as soon as you can or ask someone to do so.
6. Poor nutrition, weight loss, and poor eating habits
Unfortunately, as parents grow old, there are a lot of restrictions they face, especially in their food choices.
Some seniors choose to eat whatever food is available in the refrigerator or pantry because they lack the energy to cook.
Others don’t even bother checking the expiration date of food stocks they have, which could lead to health issues like food poisoning.
Such unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle practices can compromise your parent’s safety and health.
The doctor prescribes a chart wherein they mention the food they should eat and also the food they should avoid. Also, most diseases, alongside proper medication, can be treated with proper nutrition.
But if your parents aren’t emphasizing it enough, it can have a direct impact on their health.
It can result in drastic weight loss or weight gain, and so many other problems that are triggered by improper nutrition. Further, good nutrition is directly related to stronger immunity.
Over to you…
Taking care of elderly parents is not easy and it might overwhelm you sometimes. But always remember to be there for them, just like they have been there for you.
The signs we have shared above seek for immediate attention and should not be avoided at any cost.
These issues require someone to accompany them all the time. So if you are living away from your parents or not able to be with them 24/7, try aged care facilities.
Age care facilities specialise in providing care for ageing people.
These facilities have expert professionals, including caregivers, nurses, and doctors who can attend to elderly patients round the clock.
Neurological physiotherapists are also available to help elderly patients who have neurological problems. Learn more about neurological physiotherapy services at mirandasphysiosteps.com.
Why should you consider sending your parents to an age care facility?
This will ensure your parents are never alone and have the right assistance of experts whenever required.
Learn more about it here. Lastly, no matter what, do what works best for your parents. After all, they are the reason you are in this world.