The 2021 holiday season is officially upon us. Many will be traveling back home for the holidays to aging parents that they might only get to see a couple times each year. One of the difficult decisions you may encounter during the holidays is running into signs that their loved ones might need additional help.
Others might find it is time to have a loved one placed into assisted living care based on some of those new signs. We pulled some of those signs to help you evaluate if it is time to reach out to Senior Living Specialists and let us help you find the right care for your loved one.
1. Scratches to their vehicle that they can’t seem to explain. If you notice a random dent or even some serious damage that their care has been through which they can’t explain how it happened, this can often be a sign that they are unable to drive themselves anymore.
2. Missing appointments and not realizing they’ve missed it. This can be regular checkup appointments for dental or checkups with their doctor. If they aren’t able to keep track of the calendar and are missing these appointments regularly, they likely need more help.
3. Reliance on food lacking nutritional value. If you notice that they have begun having a coke and crackers for their dinner, they might be struggling to make their own food options – another possible sign.
4. Missing medication or taking improper dosage. This can be a touch one to evaluate as many aging adults can see an extensive daily med regimen. But if they went from never having a problem tracking it to constantly running out of a med a week early, it could be a sign they need additional help.
5. Sudden confusion around common daily chores. If your loved one has never had a problem operating the dishwasher, but you notice when you’re back for the holidays that they suddenly don’t seem to remember how to operate it, it might be a sign.
6. You start getting calls from their financial institution about missing payments. Money management can often be one of the first signs that your loved one needs additional help. It can also be one that hides itself until a substantial issue has built itself up (i.e. unpaid credit card).
The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time for everybody to celebrate time with their families. But if this holiday season is one of the few times you see your aging loved one each year, take some time out to identify any of these signs that they might need additional help.