4 Signs You Should Not Leave Your Elderly Parents Alone At Home

Your aging parents can go through a lot of difficulties because of various factors like forgetfulness, confusion and other changes associated with their illnesses. It can be a challenging time for both the elderly loved one and the people surrounding them, especially their family. There are instances when you cannot assure your parent of your presence because you have to attend to your obligations at work or home.

However, it is also important to pay close attention to your parent’s health condition. If they are already suffering from illnesses like dementia, you have to understand that the condition has unique medical needs. Even when they seem to show quirky behavior, they will still need someone to look after them. Consulting with a physician will help you decide. You may never know whether or not your parents need support unless they show any of these warning signs.

1. Constantly forgetting to pay bills

Although this may sound harmless at first, because even younger individuals tend to forget things from time to time, forgetting multiple bills can be a cause for alarm. These innocent mistakes might be an indication of a more serious condition that requires your immediate attention. Unfortunately, even if most seniors have already noticed these signs of a memory illness, they do not consider reporting it.

Some may even choose to downplay this symptom. If they have already been diagnosed to have a memory illness, it does not necessarily mean that they have to move into a senior care facility and give up their home. There are in-home memory care options specializing in looking after patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. This option allows elderly loved ones to live happily and safely in their own home.

2. Taking personal hygiene for granted

Another serious sign that you cannot afford to leave your parents alone at home is when they start neglecting their hygiene. This sign is something that you will immediately notice.. It may be mental or in most cases, physical. Regardless of the aspect, this sign is not good. If you begin to notice that your parents no longer shower or brush their teeth, these are known as glaring signs that an elder care intervention must be your priority.

Elderly individuals tend to forget about their hygiene without even realizing it. Feeling depressed and unmotivated might also be the reasons for their hygiene negligence. It might also be difficult for them to take a shower because they feel unsafe due to their illness or physical trouble.

3. Weight Loss

If your parents are embarking on a weight loss journey or hitting the gym, then weight loss should not worry you. However, unexplained weight loss should be something that you have to pay close attention. If they lose weight, but they are not seemingly aware of it, it is a warning sign that may lead to a bigger problem. Weight loss could mean that they are sick or has lost their ability to prepare their food. They can also have weaker taste buds, and it happens to most seniors.

For elderly loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s, one thing that caused them to forget about preparing their food is their memory illness. Clinical depression can also be a number one reason for losing their appetite.

4. Trouble driving

Aside from weight loss, neglecting personal hygiene, and forgetting to pay bills, you should also check how they drive. If your elderly loved ones have trouble paying attention to road rules, it is a sign that the mental or physical aspect of their health feels different. It might be dangerous when they are behind the wheel because they have already lost their ability to focus.

You should also check if your parents no longer find it exciting to drive, especially if this is something they used to love to do. It is also an indication that you need to take a closer look at their health needs. It might have to do with muscular-skeletal issues, eye problems or memory illnesses. With these conditions, driving can be a scary experience for them.

Choosing a facility for elderly loved ones

It is important for your aging loved ones to continue living their lives independently. Any of these signs should not be ignored because they can have serious consequences. Hire skilled in-home care professional to look after your parents while you are away from home. Aside from providing them assistance with doing chores and making meals, they also need San Antonio assisted living.