Are You Worried About Your Parents' Safety? When It Is Time To Consider Assisted Living

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Watching as a parent ages and begins to lose the ability to take care of himself or herself is never easy. You begin to worry that he or she may forget to turn off the stove, or take any necessary medications. If only one parent is still alive, it is common to wonder if he or she is getting out and doing things or just sitting at home, alone all the time. To help determine whether you should start looking into assisted living facilities, spend a few days with your parent to see how he or she really gets by. Do nothing to help at this point, but look for a few of these indicators.

• Spoiled food in the refrigerator – this is usually an indication that your parent is not eating properly. He or she may be missing meals due to forgetfulness.
• Bumps and bruises – Weak muscles and bones, impaired sight and a loss of coordination can lead to falls and bumping into things. A bad fall can leave someone passed out or unable to get up.
• Hygiene – Is your parent bathing and changing his or her clothes regularly? Is he or she capable of doing laundry?
• House and yard upkeep – Is the home being kept as neat and clean as when you were growing up? While deep cleaning may not be possible if your parent is home alone, there should not be a big mess every day.
• Medications – Look for expired medications. Are you positive your parent is taking the proper medications at the proper times?
• Socializing – Are friends or relatives stopping by or calling just to talk and pass the time? You do not want your parent sitting at home alone all the time.
• Transportation – Is your parent still able to drive or is there other transportation available to take him or her to the store and appointments?

Most importantly, when you are looking at your parent, do you see the same person you did a few years ago, or has he or she withdrawn and now looks helpless? Does he or she need help with the little things around the house? Unless a parent is completely immobile and mentally incapacitated, there is no need for a nursing home. However, there may be the need for a bit of help with normal daily tasks. Your parent may also need people to talk to and activities to become involved in. This is what assisted living is for.

There will be someone capable and responsible available at all hours to help with the physical tasks, someone to help with reminders to take medications and get to appointments too. An aide can check to make sure your parent ate or even help prepare a meal if necessary. There are other people the same age as your parent around for companionship. Your parent will have his or her own living quarters, an apartment, and still feel independent. You will have peace of mind knowing that there is someone there to help when it is needed. Everyone feels good about the new living arrangement. Contact a retirement community like The Cedars today.

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8 January 2015