September 15, 2016 by
Looking around at the home where you grew up, the home where your parents still live, can bring forth a flood of memories. The cubby under the stairs that was your secret reading nook away from all of your brothers and sisters. The family room fireplace where everyone gathered to play games and tell stories after dinner. You know that your parents want to age in place in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, but as they continue to become more frail, it could be time to consider a form of senior assisted living, such as home care.
Here are a number of common clues to look for that could signify the need to introduce the help of a home caregiver for senior assisted living:
- Does your parent have a chronic disease that is becoming worse? Conditions that become progressively worse over time can inhibit the senior’s ability to remain living alone.
- Did you notice that your loved one’s appearance has dramatically changed? Take note of whether the senior has lost or gained a significant amount of weight, has become unkempt, or appears more frail and unsteady.
- Are your parents socially active or living very isolated lives? A senior who has isolated himself or herself and is reluctant to leave the house or invite visitors in may benefit from the enhanced socialization a caregiver can provide.
If you note these warning signs, a discussion with other involved family members and the senior is important to decide whether it’s possible for him or her to remain living alone, or if introducing an in-home caregiver, in the interest of safety and wellbeing, is an option to consider.
A professional senior assisted living caregiver, such as At Home Independent Living provides, can offer socialization and provide helpful services such as light housekeeping, cooking, shopping, laundry, and more, helping seniors to live safer, more rewarding lives at home. Call us today at 315-579-HOME (4663).