Are Your Elderly Relatives Safe at Home? Signs That it May Be Time for In-Home Care

The vast majority of seniors express a strong desire to stay at home, but doing so safely can be a real challenge. The normal aging process can leave once robust seniors with a host of health problems, from failing eyesight and hearing to impaired judgment and problems with short-term memory.

If your elderly parents are still living in their own home, it is important to make sure they are as safe as they can be. Whether you live in the next town or halfway across the country, keeping tabs on their well-being will let you sleep better at night.

Simply knowing the warning signs can enhance the safety of your senior loved ones. If you spot any of the following, it is important to follow up. In some cases, these warning signs will be false alarms, or deficiencies that are easily addressed and corrected. In other cases, these issues could be indications that additional help is needed. Either way, you will feel better and so will your aging parents.

• Dishes in the sink - Everyone skimps on chores from time to time, and piles of dishes in the sink are not always cause for concern. But if the sink is full to overflowing every time you visit, it is time to ask some questions.
• Piles of unopened mail or unpaid bills - Piles of unopened mail could be signs of household negligence or a declining mental state, while unpaid bills could indicate new or ongoing financial problems. Talking about cognitive problems and financial issues is not easy, but these discussions are important.
• Scratches or dents on the family car - Time can really take a toll on the ability to drive safely, putting seniors at a real disadvantage. Eye problems, cognitive difficulty and other age-related issues can make fender benders and more serious car accidents more likely, so watch out for the warning signs. Unexplained dings, dents and scratches should be cause for concern, so ask your parents about the condition of the family car.
• Bumps and bruises - Sometimes it is not the car that gets damaged but your loved ones themselves. Problems with mobility and failing eyesight can trigger falls, resulting in bumps, bruises and more serious injuries. If you see black and blue marks, cuts, scratches and other injuries, you need to follow up and find out what caused them.
• Dirty or damaged clothing - Stained clothes, missing buttons and other signs of personal hygiene neglect should be promptly addressed. Whether they are signs of slipping self-esteem, cognitive impairment or simple neglect, problems with dressing and personal hygiene are cause for concern.
• A stockpile of prescription drugs - Lots of pill bottles could mean your elderly parents are not taking their prescription medications as prescribed. If you suspect problems with medication compliance, talk to your parents' doctor right away.

Many adult children find themselves stuck between the needs of their own spouses and kids and those of their elderly parents. If you are caring for your aging loved ones while raising a family of your own, you need to know what to look for and when to get involved. Some things are relatively innocuous, while others are potentially dangerous and even deadly. Learning to separate the two could allow your elderly parents to age gracefully at home and help you sleep more soundly at night.

Exploring In-Home Care For a Loved One in Logansport, IN or the Surrounding Area?

Comfort Keepers can help keep your loved one safe and independent in the comfort of home. Call our team today; (574) 626-4336.