Whether you’ve been actively helping your aging parent remain independently in her home or if you’ve just started to notice changes occurring in her life that are calling your attention, it’s always a good idea to continue to reassess how your parent is doing mentally, physically and emotionally.
While you can have a conversation with your parent asking how they are doing, it’s possible that your parent likes to give the trite answer, “I’m fine.”
When your parent says she’s fine but you’re feeling that perhaps she’s not, look around her home and her activities to help yourself gauge if she’s struggling and could benefit from the assistance of either another family member stepping in or perhaps hiring a home care provider to fill in the gaps. Your parent may not ask for help directly, but she’ll be sure to appreciate it in the end.
- The bills aren’t getting paid or there’s a huge stack of mail that hasn’t been gone through.
As cognitive functions start to decline, tasks like bill management become more and more difficult. A home care provider can help your parent sort through her mail so she knows what needs to be addressed and what can be tossed.
- The yard is not being cared for.
Whether it’s shoveling or mowing, these physical activities may have become too much for your aging parent and could actually open the door for accidents or injuries for her to perform anymore. Hire a neighbor teen or family member to help with shoveling and mowing to take those chores off of her plate.
- The house is not being cleaned.
If dirty dishes are always piled high in the sink or clothes are not being washed, your parent might need a little help with these weekly chores. A home care provider will be happy to assist in any housecleaning chores you may feel your parent needs to be completed for her.
- Your parent’s hygiene is deteriorating.
It could be a physical problem or a mental problem that is causing your parent to stop taking care of her body’s cleanliness. Whether it’s being forgetful (did she clean her teeth today?) or whether it’s simply no energy/strength (getting in and out of the tub is scary), finding ways to help her remember these daily tasks are important. It might involve purchasing special equipment to help perform tasks (like a tub bar or non-slip stickers on the bottom of the tub) or it could mean having someone give daily reminders. A home care provider that visits daily can do a world of good by reminding your parent of her daily hygiene routine.
- Your parent seems lonely, sad, or disinterested in activities.
Living alone can be hard mentally and emotionally, especially now when visitors should not be making impromptu visits due to the pandemic. Your parent may appreciate having someone like a home care provider come over once a week for a game of checkers or to eat lunch with her. Home care providers can provide safe, healthy visits with your parent that will also give her another connection with someone.
As a caregiver, you don’t have to do it all. Look for other resources for your parent to be able to continue living independently in her home. It will be a gift for everyone.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Hillsborough, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care.
Call today: (415) 795-2203
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