Realizing your parent needs help taking care of themselves can be a difficult process, but moving a parent to assisted living can play a vital role in keeping their retirement years happy, healthy, and full of life. If you see these signs in your aging parent, it may be time to consider finding a new living situation that provides the help they deserve.
Minor Accidents
If your parent has had a few minor accidents such as falls or burns, it could be a sign they are struggling with their daily activities and may need more help and supervision to keep them safe.
Weight Loss
Weight loss can indicate your parent has a hard time making trips to the grocery store and preparing their own meals. This can lead to a nutritional deficit from eating too little or nothing at all.
A Lack of Personal Grooming
Bathing and taking care of personal hygiene can become extremely difficult in old age. If you notice more body odor or a change in their looks, it may be because they simply don’t have the energy to invest in personal grooming anymore.
Forgetfulness
Becoming more forgetful is a normal part of aging, but if your parent is frequently disoriented, misplaces things often or forgets names of people they know, it could be a sign of dementia. Moving your parent to a continuing care retirement community in the early phases of the disease can make life significantly easier and more comfortable as it progresses.
Changes in Mood
Struggling to do simple tasks that were once easy can take a toll on your parent’s mental and emotional health, causing depression or social withdrawal. They may also have a hard time getting out and socializing with other people, leaving them home bound and lonely.
Neglected Home
As your parent loses some of their physical capabilities and energy, keeping a clean, orderly home can become nearly impossible.
It’s hard to come to terms with your parent needing extra help to enjoy the quality of life they once maintained with ease, but by recognizing the signs that they need help early on, you can help make their retirement years much happier and more comfortable. If you notice some of the traits above in your aging parent, contact Parkway Village to learn more about the complete continuum of accommodations available to seniors, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing care. You can also call us at 501-202-1600.
