While no one can escape aging and the changes that go with it, you can make the transition a little smoother for your elderly parent.

It’s normal and necessary to find ways on how to make them feel more comfortable at home and how you can safeguard them from accidents that most commonly occur in the elderly. You may have already made adjustments in your home, including getting help from medical professionals, especially if your elderly parent has health conditions that require special care.

However, it can be altogether difficult if members of the family are hesitant to make adjustments, especially on the part of your elderly parent. They may not admit that they need help, or are having trouble adjusting to the dramatic loss of independence and mobility.

Knowing how your elderly parents or loved ones are coping in their senior years is vital so that you, as a family member and care giver, can provide them assistance.

Here are some questions that you need to answer as you assess your elderly parent and see how well they are coping at home.

1. Are things well taken care of in the home? Whether your parent lives alone or with you, it is important to check the surroundings if they are able to continue caring and paying attention to things they used to do. This can be as simple as looking at how well chores are done, if their room or house is as tidy as they used to be, plants watered, floor swept, clothes organized, laundry piled up, letters left unopened?

2. How are money matters? Check if the bills are getting paid and if they are getting paid on time. How are their spending patterns too? Are they overspending on unnecessary things? Are they dependent on other people to handle their finances for them? Do they have cash lying around?

3. Are they taking their medication correctly and at the right time? Medication management is also crucial. Are they getting the right medication at the right dosage? Are they taking these on time? Perhaps they are having a hard time keeping up with their medication or, like with most things, are also forgetting to take their pills. This could be one of the red flags that show they may be having a hard time coping.

4. Are they observing proper hygiene and grooming? Are they wearing clean clothes? Do they regularly take a bath and brush their teeth? Are they looking after themselves well without having anyone remind them to do what may once have been easy daily personal tasks for them? Can they still go to the bathroom by themselves or are they in need of assistance?

5. How well are they eating? It helps to also observe their eating habits. Do they have the appetite to eat regularly? Are they eating healthy food? Can they still feed themselves? You may also check the fridge and pantry to see if they are maintaining and keeping their food safely and appropriately.

6. How mobile and independent are they? Can they still get up and down the stairs? Can they still walk or even travel on their own? Do they drive themselves safely? Consider also their memory. Do they have an easy time remembering dates, places, and directions?

7. How is their mood and disposition? This is perhaps one of the most important things to consider. The changes your parents may undergo as they age can make them feel worried, sad, embarrassed, anxious, and even helpless. They may also feel lonely and isolated. Check to see if they are still socializing, or are still able to engage in hobbies or activities they used to like doing.

If the answers to these questions don’t come out favorable, perhaps, it’s time to step back and take a look on how you can help your elderly loved ones. They may need adult daycare and assisted living services to help them socialize, be occupied, or simply get a breather in a different environment, a place where they can feel empowered. Facilities such as Blessed Home also offer nursing home services so that your elderly parent will be looked after by professional caregivers and medical staff.

You may contact us to schedule a visit.