As your parents grow older, maintaining their independence can become increasingly difficult. According to the National Council on Aging, 90% of older adults want to age in place for a long time. However, as their health and mobility decline, it may become necessary for them to receive assistance with daily tasks. That is where you come in as the needed help. There are telltale signs to look for that are indicative that your elderly parents need you to come in.
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Difficulty with mobility
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If your elderly parent is having difficulty getting around the home or going outside, this can be a sign that they need assistance. It could be their difficulty climbing stairs, walking long distances, or even standing when seated. While these signs are quite common among the elderly, it is important to look for other convincing signs. Do they experience intense pain or discomfort when walking? Again, do you constantly see your aging parents using furniture or walls for support? Sometimes, it is helpful to plan for these eventualities even before they happen. These could be signs that their joints are experiencing discomfort from age-related mobility disorders. It could be osteoporosis, Vitamin D, or calcium deficiency as aging bones lose their density. Sometimes, your elderly parents may refuse to use a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility aid. Their apprehension may stem from losing independence if they use these walking aids. However, help them see the positive side of it all. While at it, remember to add pendant alarms to the list of things to ensure your aging parents’ safety during this stage.
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Forgetfulness or confusion
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As people age, it’s expected that they may experience bouts of memory loss or confusion at some point in those advanced years. However, if your parents regularly forget important appointments or events or seem disoriented or confused, it could be a sign of a more serious issue. For example, are they having trouble remembering to take their medications or are you concerned that they might get lost in the area? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider hiring a home health aide or finding a memory care facility. The more you wait to find relevant help for your elderly parents, the higher the chances of worsening their specific case and overall well-being. Forgetfulness and confusion can be signs of Alzheimer’s and other age-related cognitive decline conditions. It is better to act early than regret not taking the chance to do so.
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Difficulty completing daily tasks
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Elderly parents may have trouble performing tasks that were once easy for them. For example, are they now struggling with cooking, cleaning, or doing the laundry? Have you noticed a change in the way they perform these tasks that came so naturally to them? Experts say when an elderly person experiences difficulty with daily tasks, it could be due to many other things. For instance, their minds might be preoccupied with other thoughts, so they stop to start another in the middle of an activity. That is different from confusion or forgetfulness. It has more to do with wanting to multitask but failing at it. It can be emotionally tiring for an elderly parent to experience the reality of their advanced age and the associated limitations. Therefore, try to be as reassuring as possible and provide your elderly parents with all the encouragement and assistance they need.
