As our parents grow older, we may wonder when the right moment is to bring a caregiver into their home. Is it when they need someone to help out with housework or remind them to take their medicine? Or is it when they ultimately cannot function on their own anymore?
This can be a hard step to take, especially if we aren’t living near them, it may not be obvious they need day-to-day help. It can be a difficult decision to bring full time care to a parent who once cared full time for you. However, whether you hire somebody, or a family member moves in or you move your parent into a family member’s home, there are certain signs to watch for that will let you know it may be the right time.
1. Your parent is extremely forgetful.
As we age, it’s quite normal to forget where we put our keys. When your parent begins to forget bigger, more important things (or smaller things far more often), however, it might be a sign they need a companion. For example, if your mom forgets her grandkids’ names frequently, forgets to take her medicine (or why she needs it), or can’t quite remember how to drive to a familiar place, it may be a sign that she needs a companion in her home.
2. Your parent neglects personal care.
Sometimes we may not realize our parent’s physical condition is making them weak and tired. A good sign to look out for is if they’re wearing the same clothing, bathing less or looking less put together than usual. When personal care and hygiene becomes too much of a burden and is too exhausting to keep up with daily, your parent might be too weak to take care of themselves.
Additionally, if they seem to be losing weight, it may be because it’s too tiresome to go to the grocery store or to stand by the stove and cook.
3. Your parent’s house is messier than normal.
If personal hygiene is exhausting, imagine how tiresome pushing a vacuum around could be? When you notice your parent’s house is no longer clean or the bed isn’t made like usual, it may be a sign that fatigue and pain are present in everyday activities.
A caregiver can help assist your parent with daily activities that have become too tiresome or painful to endure. We work with seniors and families going through this on a daily basis and are able to help you identify these signs in your parents. Have you observed these signs and are ready to start planning for Florida long term care? Call us at +1 (321) 723 – 8388 or contact us through our website to schedule an appointment with Attorney David Jacoby.