As our loved ones get older, you may notice warning signs that .their ability to care for themselves and manage daily tasks to start to falter. Additionally, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be able to continue living independently. Click HERE to find out more about making a plan for your Loved Ones future care.
However, these are some of the signs that it may be time to consider in home assistance for your loved one, and how tools such as a medication organizer with timer can help them age in place safely.
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10 Warning Signs That More Help May Be Needed
- Changes in appearance, (unkempt or inappropriately dressed for weather/occasion)
- Forgetting to put on glasses or hearing aides
- Drastic/Sudden weight gain or loss
- Difficulty moving about- they may be having a hard time getting up and out of a chair for example
- Uncleanliness or household tasks going unattended
- Stacks of mail or unpaid bills
- Lack of food or spoiled food
- Medications not filled or out of date
- Changes in mood or personality/ memory loss or confusion
- Safety hazards such as leaving stove or iron on and walking away
All of these are warning signs that more help may be needed for your aging loved one. Therefore, the next step should be having a conversation with them of the possibility that extra help may be required.
Tips on How to Introduce Assistance in the Least invasive manner
If you do notice some of the above warning signs a good next step is to discuss your concerns with your loved one and identify ways you may be able to help. Perhaps, creating a list with next steps that they are in agreement to is a good way to ensure a plan will be executed. It is easier to introduce the less invasive action items first, and ease your loved one into the idea of getting assistance. Some immediate actions you can take to make things easier for them are:
Here are some suggestions so that you can more easily introduce help without making your loved one feel overwhelmed:
-Setting up transportation service to help them get to appointments,
-A medication organizer with timer to assist them in taking needed medications
-Arranging grocery or meal delivery services
-It could also be something as simple as adaptive equipment like a shower chair or Grab bar for the shower.
-Purchasing a fall risk alert or personal emergency response system
-Setting up direct deposits and auto pay for their recurring bills and/or hiring a daily money manager to help your loved one manage their finances
Any of these will help to ease them into the idea of additional help without undermining their independence. However, you want to emphasize to your loved one that you are taking these steps to help ensure that he or she maintains their independence and is able to age in place long term. Also, Your loved one might be more willing to accept help if they know it gives you peace of mind.
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