4 Signs It’s Time To Consider Senior Care
As you grow, it becomes increasingly important to ensure the safety and well-being of your ageing parents. This stage has several responsibilities, especially as senior care is crucial and requires a lot of patience. No matter how much you love your ageing parents, performing all those care tasks can be hard on many levels. Getting the right care service can make things easier during such periods. With 70% of 65-year-olds requiring long-term care, how would you know if it’s time to consider senior care for your ageing parents? Below are four helpful signs.
1. Declining physical health
As the body ages, certain vital body functions slow down, causing a decline in physical health. It often manifests as difficulty performing daily tasks, weight loss, chronic health diagnosis, and so on. The more serious signs of declining physical health are frequent falls, which usually indicate mobility and balance issues. Such falls can be severe and lead to long recovery or permanently impaired mobility. It can be worrisome, and if you tackle it alone, it can throw things out of place, especially in elder care. That is why it’s important to be observant enough to notice the slightest physical change, which many overlook due to the perception that old age comes with frequent ill health. The concern is that you might miss something crucial that would have compelled you to consider assisted living for your ageing parents. Thankfully, timely help can prevent the worsening of health conditions that could have been nipped in the bud, making it essential to be observant so you can act promptly.
2. Memory loss and cognitive decline
Memory loss and cognitive decline could indicate it’s time to consider senior care. That includes amnesia, dementia, and any other issues that may arise due to a decline in cognitive function because of old age. Speaking with your ageing parent’s doctor or geriatric specialist may also be wise to confirm or allay your fears. Cognitive decline can impact an older adult’s quality of life. For example, they will likely forget scheduled medications, cooking processes, and other crucial daily functions. Admittedly, seeing these drastic changes in a parent you’ve known all your life can be heartbreaking. However, the best you can do in such situations is to immediately seek help for them. Consistent memory lapses pose risks in an older adult’s life, and the repercussions are things you want to avoid. Sometimes, the best solution is comprehensive senior home care. Many elderly people do better in these secure and supportive environments. Another option is having professional carers visit your home home to provide the needed care for ageing adults, so keep this in mind.
3. Family caregiver burnout
Being a caregiver can be challenging and can lead to burnout when not managed properly. Elder care is a lot of work, so many families delegate tasks among themselves to make it easier. The question you must ask yourself is how long that can go on. You probably have a young family you’re taking care of, office duties, and personal responsibilities that make adding elderly care to the list a real challenge. When you see this happening or struggling to split your hours, consider professional help. This decision can be difficult, so, unsurprisingly, many family caregivers feel guilty for not providing direct help for long. While these feelings are expected, you can overcome them by acknowledging why you cannot provide long-term care. You can also be consoled by the thought that there are experienced hands to do a better job. And remember that getting senior care doesn’t mean neglecting your parents, as you can still be involved.
4. Unhappy living situation or condition
After years of being independent and sharp-minded, it can be disappointing for some older adults to experience a decline in their living situation. They struggle with dressing up, feeding themselves, moving around, and performing all the tasks they used to do. That can be hard for an older adult to take. Sometimes this can trigger mental health issues, which can be concerning. Remember to reaffirm your love for them and let your ageing loved one accept these changes as normal. You will also have to create opportunities where they meet and interact with their peers or engage in their favourite hobbies. The more thought you put into planning, the better the outcomes will be. More importantly, however, you should consider moving them into senior communities. Older adults often love communal living as it offers a better chance to live an improved quality of life.