Does Your Elderly Parent Need More Care?
Many people don't realize that at some point in their lives, they will need someone else to assist them in performing certain basic activities. While this may not be the case for you, it might be for one or both of your parents.
As the someone closest to them, it's important that you recognize when your parents are in need of more care, because they may not realize this on their own or they may be reluctant to accept their situation.
How Can You Tell Your Parent Needs More Care?
It's unlikely that your aging parent will tell you when they need more assistance. However, there are several signs that you can look out for that'll tell you if that is the case, including the following:
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They have many unpaid bills
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Their house is in a disorganized or dirty state
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They seem unfamiliar with tasks that they've performed for years
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They regularly forget to take medication or can't remember if they did
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They've been missing important appointments
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They have injuries that they can't explain
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Your parent looks like they've lost weight
If you notice any of these signs, your parent may be putting themselves in potentially dangerous situations and might need more attention.
What Options Do You Have to Provide More Care?
Providing more care for an elderly parent is a challenge that many people have had to deal with. Depending on the state of your parent, they may need a little bit of care or a lot of care. There are different options that you can explore to provide additional care to your parent, including:
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Handling the job on your own. Some children opt to care for their aging parents on their own. However, this can take a physical and mental toll on you.
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Hiring a caregiver specializing in in-home senior care. You can also hire a caregiver e.g. a nurse to provide in-home senior care. This keeps your parent in a familiar environment and provides them with help in certain areas, while allowing them to maintain independence in other areas where they don't need help.
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Contacting assisted-living facilities. In an assisted-living facility, your parent's basic needs (e.g. preparation of meals, laundry, hygiene) can be attended to by a paid professional.
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Placing them in a nursing home. If your parent needs even more care, a nursing home may be a better option.
Making the Decision
When it's time to decide how your parent receives more care, it's important to handle the matter delicately. Your parent may feel like they're losing their independence. Choose the option that you know will benefit your parent the most, instead of settling for the easiest choice.