As an adult child of aging parents, you never want to have to make the decision to place them in a nursing facility. The impact of a parent losing the ability to function on a normal day-to-day basis can devastate both you and your parent.
Be on the lookout for these signs appearing several months before a choice has to be made.
1. Falling
A serious fall can lead to hospitalization and surgery. Bones become brittle with age.
The ability to walk with ease becomes a struggle for the elderly to take a few steps. They become disoriented from the fear of falling, lose balance, and fall to the floor.
It could possibly be a light stroke or similar health problem causing the fall. Insurance is another concern.
Many seniors don’t have adequate insurance policies to cover long-term health care in facilities such as hospitals or rehabilitation centers. The options are limited unless you can afford home health care assistance.
2. Failing Memory
Alzheimer’s disease affects many seniors. The symptoms from this serious disease can become so severe, the afflicted lose the ability to function normally.
Things that could be taken care of easily become a burden because they don’t remember to take care of them.
3. Loneliness
Being alone can be a huge problem for seniors. Children have their own responsibilities with their families and jobs.
They don’t have the time to see the needs of their parents. This can lead to depression with the elderly.
Many of them begin to lose hope and give up. This is a serious sign something needs to happen. The parent needs more visitations from the children or a change in the living situation.
4. Housekeeping
Poor living conditions due to neglect in properly cleaning the home are a sign that is hard to notice. Children should focus on the cleanness of the home each time they visit.
Things to notice are the kitchen, carpet, bathroom, and bedroom where their parent spends the most time. Trash that is never taken out and stale food in the refrigerator are two serious signs something is wrong.
5. Phone Calls from Bill Collectors
Many children have some control over their parent’s finances. Seniors will try to hold on as long as possible when it comes to paying their obligations.
One of the problems of aging is the ability to realize the time. Seniors will eventually get to a point they can’t take care of their own finances.
The children will either have to step in to do it for them or make arrangements for the bills to be paid.
6. Dementia in the Aging Parents
This can cause seniors to forget to take lifesaving medications. They might not remember who their children are. Seniors with this disease might get to a point where they can’t cook, feed, or bathe on their own anymore.
When seniors become diagnosed with dementia, children need to monitor their parents more. Toilet problems and continence are among the major concerns for patients of this disease.
They are most likely to have accidents or problems with using the toilet, so it is a good idea to provide them with protective underwear and other incontinence products if needed to better help them daily while preserving their sense of dignity.
This means going to see them often and making sure everything at the home is normal. Most people who develop this disease finally get to a point in time where they need 24-hour senior care service or have to go into a nursing home facility.
7. Stroke
Cardiovascular disease is common for the elderly. Strokes affect many seniors each year. Most of them have a series of mild strokes until the big one finally happens.
Once a parent begins having strokes, it can be a serious sign they might have to have others taking care of them.
8. Life-Ending Disease
A parent who is diagnosed with a terminal illness such as cancer or advanced heart disease deserves the best of care. This is the final factor in determining if a parent needs to be in a nursing home or any other facility to care for their health needs.
Consider what each member of your family is going through and make the best decision for you, your parent, and your family.
Anita is a regular contributor to Support for Stepdads. Please make some time to read some of her other articles:
Why Family Counseling Is Beneficial For Blended Families
Five Tips to Reduce the Damaging Effects of Divorce on Your Family
Divorce Trauma – Six Tips For Coping
