Everyone experiences changes in their bodies as they age. But people who have spent their whole life with dignity often ignore the warning signs of declining health. Ignoring the initial signs and symptoms often leads to disease progression to the point of no return, so it becomes a responsibility of children to notice their parents’ changing needs and address them in a timely manner.
Children are mostly busy handling their adult responsibilities, so they rarely have time for their parents. Here is a list of 5 major signs and symptoms that indicate your parents need support. During your hangouts and random visits to your parents, if you notice these signs and symptoms, try to offer the right kind of support for their aging bodies, so that they get the much-needed help, and you also get to avoid the guilt of not taking care of them.
Medication Mismanagement
If your parents are diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, there is a chance that they will forget to take their medication on time, which can lead to disease progression much faster than what was expected initially.
So if you notice the medication in their drawers remains the same quantity since you last stocked it, and some medicine runs out faster than it should, it’s time you convince them to move to SHINE® Memory Care in Houston. Not only will they get help with medication, but these facilities will also help residents with daily chores.
Decline in Personal Hygiene
When you meet someone, the first thing you notice is how well they take care of themselves. So if you notice certain odours or see your parents wearing the same clothing too often, it can indicate that they are struggling to take care of themselves. They might be unable to bathe due to mobility issues, so it is a good idea to ask them directly and offer help if you can.
If you can’t be present to assist with everyday tasks, you can consider senior living options like Fountainwood. You can shift your parents to independent living, assisted living, or memory care based on the severity of their symptoms. These facilities will offer the right kind of care and assistance for your parents’ aging bodies’ needs.
Unexpected Weight Loss
Another factor indicating your parents need immediate help is changes in their weight. If every time you visit, they look leaner than before, then you should suspect some underlying health issue like diabetes or depression.
In this situation, you can offer help by taking them to the physician to get their test report done, so that if there is a serious health condition, it can be diagnosed and treated. But there would be another factor in their weight loss. They might be struggling to cook their own meals. If that’s the case, you can either hire a cook or convince them to move to a senior care facility where they get proper meals.
Social Isolation
When you feel like you are not giving your parents enough time, and they also don’t have any friends to hang out with, then spending all day at home and struggling with a health condition can increase feelings of loneliness and depression in them. You can notice the symptoms in your parents by checking their mood at family dinners, whether they are unusually talkative or silent.
Basically, if they are acting a bit strangely, it usually indicates that something is wrong. You can either try to spend more time with them or encourage them to participate in community events. By staying engaged in one way or another, they will avoid feeling lonely.
Conclusion
Aging parents often struggle to accept and communicate their needs. So children should try to observe and notice their parents’ needs so they can provide help accordingly. If your parents are not taking care of themselves and are struggling with daily chores, you may consider moving them into a senior living facility.
If they are also experiencing memory loss and don’t take their medication on time, then memory care is the best option for them. Lastly, if they are struggling with feelings of loneliness and depression, you should take them to a mental health professional or help them find activities to stay busy.