Your aging parents have always been proud and self-sufficient people. Mom and Dad have also made it clear that they want to remain in their current home for as long as possible. Although you would like to honor your parents’ wishes, you’ve noticed some things lately that could indicate they might benefit from having a “personal assistant” around the house. Determining when aging parents need home care assistance is never easy. Here are five ways to ensure it’s the right decision before approaching yours about the topic.
Why Do Seniors Refuse Home Care?
If your elderly parents are like most, they’ve spent their entire adult life managing a household and various jobs. Most seniors don’t want to be lectured by others about how to manage their affairs – especially their children.
Many older adults refuse to discuss home care with their kids for these reasons:
- Denial
- Privacy concerns
- Embarrassment
- Pride and dignity
- Stubbornness
- Apathy
Once one spouse starts struggling with activities of daily living (ADLs), the tendency is for the other spouse to hide those functional limitations from friends and relatives. Eventually, the added responsibility of caring for a spouse takes a toll on the caregiver’s quality of life.
Functional Limitation Warning Signs
If you suspect that Mom and Dad are struggling with functional limitations, look for these five warning signs:
Physical signs
Losing or gaining excessive weight, wearing the same clothes every day, and poor hygiene are all signs that your loved ones need assistance. Cognitive red flags like memory loss, confusion, and forgetfulness could indicate the onset of dementia.
If poor mobility is affecting Mom or Dad’s quality of life, volunteer to assist them around the house by preparing meals, doing laundry, walking the dog, etc. If you suspect that your parent has cognitive impairment, schedule a doctor’s appointment so they can be evaluated further.
Frequent falls
Fall-related injuries and fractures send scores of older adults to hospital emergency departments every year. Vision changes, poorly lit hallways, and slippery bathroom surfaces are all fall hazards for aging-in-place seniors.
If Mom or Dad have fallen several times recently, here’s how to help:
- Create clutter-free pathways throughout the home.
- Install handrails and grab bars in the bathroom and on both sides of the stairs.
- Take them to the eye doctor.
- Work with an occupational therapist to create a safer home environment.
Driving-related issues
If your parents have gotten several tickets or caused multiple accidents, it’s probably a good idea to have “the talk” about driving safety. Suspicious dents and scrapes on their vehicle could also be a sign that it’s time to turn over the car keys for good. Before respectfully discussing the subject with Mom and Dad find them suitable transportation alternatives.
Social isolation
Depression, anxiety, and dementia keep many seniors from socializing as they should. On the other hand, older adults that stay socially engaged tend to enjoy happier, healthier, and even longer lives than those who are lonely and isolated.
Introduce Mom and Dad to activities they might enjoy at the local senior center. Teach them how to use the latest technologies, like video chats, online communities, and social media to stay connected with old friends – or make new ones. Better yet, let your parents know how much they mean to you by calling them on the phone!
Unfinished business
Stacks of past-due bills could indicate that your parents are having trouble managing their finances. Offer to become a custodian on their bank and credit card accounts, which will also help protect them from financial scammers. If they haven’t already done so, encourage Mom and Dad to prepare a will and choose someone as their durable power-of-attorney (POA).
Personalized Home Care Solutions for Seniors in Pasadena
When you or your loved ones need help around the home, contact TCC Home Care. We are a fully licensed and insured home care provider in Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada, Lynwood, and more with highly trained professionals who are experts at delivering the nurturing that your loved one deserves. While serving as an extended family in your senior’s home, our compassionate caregivers can perform home care duties like light housekeeping, personal care, dementia care, companionship care, medication reminders, and even live-in and 24-hour care.
Our agency focuses on maintaining your loved one’s quality of life, dignity, self-esteem, and independence. For your added convenience, all our in-home services can be individually personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! Please visit us online now to learn more about our services or schedule a FREE initial consultation for a senior in Arcadia, Glendale, La Cañada, Lynwood, and more.