Life gets busy, and we often find ourselves wanting to get over to check on Mom and Dad as they age, but time goes by and it doesn’t happen. Then, one day you stop in to say “hi” and notice several things that may cause you to stop and think. Maybe the house is messier than you remember. Perhaps the door wasn’t shut when you entered the house, or the stove was on. Those are but a few of the warning signs your aging parent needs help. We’ve come alongside many families who’ve discovered the need for a caregiver to help Mom and/or Dad age safely and gracefully in their home.
When checking on an aging parent, use the following checklist as a guide for some warning signs that may point to the need for a caregiver:
- Spoiled food in the refrigerator
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty standing up from a chair or couch
- Forgetfulness (names, places, things, etc)
- Body odor
- Strong smell of urine in the home
- Extreme clutter
- Dirty laundry piling up
- Decline in grooming or personal habits
- Untaken medications
- Appliances left on
- Pets unfed or fed too much
- Late payment notices
- An answering machine with many voicemails
- Weight loss
- Weight gain
- Change in mood, or mood swings
- Unexplained dents or scratches on cars
- Sink and counter filled with dirty dishes
- Overflowing trash
- Yard maintenance needed
- Broken furniture
- Unexplained bruising
- Uncertainty in performing everyday tasks
- Feeling lonely or depressed
- Taking less interest in things he/she previously enjoyed
- Avoiding people or social situations
- Lots of pre-packaged food wrappers in living area
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Overlook things that may pose a safety concern
If you notice some of these warning signs your aging parent needs help, please contact us. We’ll assess the situation and offer solutions to make it possible for your parent to safely age in their own home.
