Today’s senior living communities offer just about every perk and convenience a senior could seemingly want. Fancy brochures show happy older adults enjoying 5-star dining options, swimming in heated indoor pools, and playing games with fellow residents in plush surroundings. As appealing as that looks, a senior still say he/she prefers aging in place. AARP’s annual survey of senior preferences consistently shows that over 75% of American seniors want to remain in the familiar surroundings of home as they age, instead of being moved to an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Unfortunately, that decision is not always theirs to make. Children and loved ones are sometimes called upon to determine if a senior can continue safely aging in place. It’s an unenviable situation because of the dynamics of the parent/child relationship, finances, geographic location…and many other factors.
Our experience has shown us that the best way to decide what’s best for the senior in your life continuing to age in place is by looking for warning signs that they shouldn’t live alone, without support.
Here are five of those signs.
Warning sign #1: the condition of the home is deteriorating
If your senior never cared much about living in a tidy house, this red flag isn’t such a big deal. But, if they ran a tight ship for many years and have stopped, you may be justified in being concerned. A messy home can be a sign of depression or signal the physical inability to perform chores they did for decades.
Some things you may notice are:
- Trash piling up
- Spoiled food in the refrigerator or scattered around the house
- Spills not being cleaned up
- Laundry going neglected
- Dishes piling up in the sink
- Bathrooms becoming filthy
Warning sign #2: trouble driving or anxiety around driving
If you’ve noticed that your parent isn’t following the rules of the road when they’re driving, or that there is an increasing number of dings and dents on their car’s body, it could be a sign they’re becoming a danger to themselves and others when they get behind the wheel.
Also, if they seem reluctant to drive, that can indicate their health needs to be looked at closely. They may have developed vision or memory problems that make driving a frightening experience for them.
Warning sign #3: unexplained weight loss
If your mom or dad is losing weight and isn’t exercising or doesn’t seem to notice, that’s a sign you need to pay close attention to. Unexplained weight loss can be an indicator:
- Unwell and not know it
- Unable to use the kitchen safely
- Forgetting to eat regularly
- Losing their appetite because of depression
Warning sign #4: neglecting personal hygiene
A decline in personal hygiene is a serious sign that a senior shouldn’t live alone. If your parent is showering infrequently and has body odor, or they’ve stopped brushing their teeth, it may be an indicator of physical challenges or that they’re forgetting to take care of themselves every day.
Warning sign #5: unopened mail and unpaid bills
This seems harmless enough since we all forget things occasionally, but your senior loved one has been paying most of these bills the same time every month; paying the water and electric bills is second nature to them. Stacks of unopened mail is often a sign of memory loss and shouldn’t be ignored
Heeding these warning signs doesn’t mean your senior loved one needs to head straight to a facility. Instead, in-home health care provided by a professional caregiver may be just what they need.
Assisting Hands Home Care serves communities throughout Northwest Boston such as Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and many more. We provide compassionate care that helps seniors remain safe and comfortable in their own homes. Whether you need us a couple of hours a day or around the clock, we’re there for you.
Give us a call today and schedule your FREE in-home consultation.
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