Watching your senior loved one get older often may mean noticing unusual symptoms that cause you to feel concerned. Forgetfulness isn’t always a major problem, but it can quickly lead to a serious incident if it gets worse. Seniors who have increasing instances of memory lapses may need help to keep them safe from harm.
1. Check for Serious Underlying Causes
Your loved one may try to make light of the forgetfulness. For instance, your parent might not want you to worry or may fear losing independence. Being afraid of a dementia diagnosis could also cause your loved one to try to cover up the memory loss. Talk to your loved one about the importance of getting cognitive conditions diagnosed early. Seeking care now can help your family plan for future incidences of memory loss. Seeing a doctor could also provide a sense of relief if nothing serious is found.
If your loved one’s increasing forgetfulness is due to dementia or Alzheimer’s, compassionate help is just a phone call away. Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. San Diego families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.
2. Increase Focus on Healthy Lifestyle Practices
Forgetfulness increases when a person is tired, hungry, or thirsty. The brain needs to stay hydrated to function well. It also needs proper nutrition and rest. Talk to your loved one about his or her current daily routine and make suggestions accordingly. If your loved one is having difficulty eating or sleeping well, he or she may need assistance around the home.
3. Start Training Your Parent’s Brain
Challenging the brain regularly keeps it strong. Brain games can even delay memory loss in the early stages of dementia. Your loved one can do puzzles and online games at home alone. Your parent can also play special games with a caregiver to boost cognitive skills.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted in-home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help.
4. Organize the Home
Establishing good habits can help your loved one counteract the effects of age-related memory loss. For instance, putting the house keys in the same place each day makes it easier to find them. Help your loved one clear out cluttered spaces in the home. Then work together to set up designated areas for specific items. A small basket on the nightstand can hold glasses and nightly medications. Simple changes add up to less confusion throughout the day.
5. Use Memory Aids
Some forgetfulness can be attributed to living a busy lifestyle or making changes to a routine. Memory aids make it easier to remember essential things. Show your loved one how to set up a smartphone calendar with alarms to alert him or her about upcoming appointments. Use a pill organizer or automatic medication dispenser. These types of things make it less likely that your loved one could make a potentially serious mistake due to the memory loss.
6. Set Up Safeguards
As your loved one’s memory loss progresses, memory aids may not be enough. For instance, a smartphone alarm won’t help your parent remember to turn off an appliance if he or she forgets to set the alarm in the first place. Look for devices with automatic shutoff systems. You might also want to automate your loved one’s home so you can use your smartphone to see if he or she locked the door. Bringing a home caregiver into the care plan can also help your loved one stay on top of essential tasks during the day.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional Home Care. San Diego families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Call Assisting Hands Home Care at 858-848-7224 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.
