As the adult child of an aging parent, you’re bound to worry about their health and safety. That’s especially true if you see that they’re beginning to have trouble with routines or activities they previously navigated with ease.
A forgetful moment here and there probably isn’t cause for concern, but if those moments and struggles become more frequent, or they begin to affect your parent’s safety or ability to manage daily tasks, these may be signs a parent needs assisted living or another form of supportive care.
In other words, when the occasional challenges that come with aging become more of a pattern than isolated incidents, living independently may not be the best environment for your loved one to thrive.
10 Signs That Suggest More Support Is Needed
There are no rigid guidelines for when a senior should stop living alone. Every person and situation is different. However, there are some common signs that may suggest your aging parent needs more help.
- Frequent falls or noticeable mobility changes
Aside from obvious indications that getting around is becoming more difficult, like trouble standing or an unsteady gait, you may notice other signs. Increasing bruises or scrapes, damaged furnishings, wall dings and scuffed baseboards can all be signs of accidents happening when you’re not around. - Difficulty managing medications
Keeping up with prescriptions is a demanding job, and it grows trickier when fingers are less nimble and memory isn’t as sharp. Because missed doses or taking too much medication can affect your parent’s health, managing prescriptions safely is a vital factor in maintaining an older adult’s independence. - Poor nutrition, weight changes or spoiled food
A regular, well-balanced diet delivers the nutrients your loved one needs for better health, energy, cognitive function and general wellness. If they’re not eating enough or making poor food choices, you’re bound to notice unexplained weight loss or gain, lower energy or changes in their hair and skin that can signal nutritional deficiencies. You may also find more spoiled or expired food. - Declining personal hygiene
Daily grooming is about much more than a tidy, presentable appearance. Regular hygiene plays an important role in skin and dental health, but it also affects self-esteem and social interactions. Watch for signs of disinterest in or declining ability to perform these daily routines. - Difficulty with dressing, bathing or other daily activities
Activities of daily living are the everyday tasks that ensure a person’s basic needs are met. They include grooming and hygiene, but also dressing, using the bathroom and moving safely throughout a living space, as well as planning, preparing and eating regular, nutritious meals. - Increasing forgetfulness or confusion
Occasionally forgetting a word or why you walked into a room is relatively common among older adults. However, memory problems or confusion that affects your loved one’s everyday life, ability to communicate effectively or confidence making decisions warrants deeper consideration. - Isolation or withdrawal from favorite activities
Any change in your parent’s lifelong habits or routines is worth noting, but it’s especially worth paying attention if you notice that they’re no longer interested in social interaction or shy away from doing things that used to bring joy. These changes may indicate that your parent could benefit from more companionship and meaningful activity. - A home that is becoming difficult to maintain
A safe, well-maintained living environment can become increasingly difficult for a senior to manage. Exterior maintenance, lawn care, regular housekeeping and repairs can push the limits of an older adult’s physical abilities. Noticeable changes in the home’s condition can be an indication that extra support would be useful. - Driving or other safety concerns
Transportation is an important factor in anyone’s independence, but if your loved one is no longer comfortable getting out of the house freely, it reduces their opportunities for social interaction and can create a sense of isolation. In a related vein, changes in driving abilities and other behaviors that put your loved one’s safety on the line are reasons to explore a more supportive living environment. - Family caregivers struggling to keep up with increasing needs
Sometimes the need for a change has less to do with an aging loved one and more to do with the caregiver. It’s not about blame. The reality, especially for adult children still managing their own families while juggling careers and their own needs, is that sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day.
My Parent Needs More Help. Now What?
Determining that your parent or loved one needs more support is an important step toward protecting their safety and improving their quality of life. However, it’s a decision that often invites a whole new set of questions.
One major consideration is whether the most benefit will come from assisted living vs. home care. Getting more support at home can be a viable option, but it depends on the type of support needed, frequency, availability of qualified help in your area and other factors.
After taking a deeper look at what assisted living helps with, you may realize it offers more comprehensive, customized support. Assisted living provides personalized care to meet a resident where they are, filling gaps where help is needed but creating an environment that encourages independence.
As you create an assisted living checklist, think about the support your parent needs most. This might include helping with activities of daily living, like bathing, grooming and dressing. Or it may mean providing regular, nutritious meals and helping organize pill boxes each week. Assisted living communities also commonly provide help with chores like laundry and housekeeping.
Physical and task-oriented care aside, assisted living also empowers older adults by restoring their self-esteem and sense of purpose. Activities that promote social engagement, enrichment programming that boosts cognitive health and wellness resources all factor into a more rewarding quality of life.
Learn more about the options to help support and empower your loved one by contacting the team at Covenant Woods, a senior living community near Richmond, Virginia. With 25 years of experience, this caring community answers the unique needs of its senior residents and their families.