It is never easy to watch a parent or other loved one reach the point in life when they are no longer able to live completely independently. This can be particularly difficult if you are starting to recognize the signs that a change might be necessary, but they are not.
Perhaps there was a particular incident that troubled you regarding their independence that they have simply brushed aside as a one-off occurrence. Maybe their health has taken a bit of a turn, and you aren’t confident that they will be able to manage medications and routine healthcare on their own.
Whatever the motives may be for giving you a reason to think more about your parent’s living situation, it is important to trust your instincts. There is nothing more important than the health and safety of your parent, or other aging loved one.
If you are still unsure about whether or not a change is necessary in terms of your parent’s living situation, here are three signs to look for that will most likely indicate that it is time for you to step in and explore living options for them going forward.
1. Issues With Money
One of the biggest indicators that your parent is going to need more help going forward involves money. Whether it is because of memory lapses on their part or simply because they no longer understand how and when bills need to be taken care of, it might be time for you to step in and start to manage their money for them.
Furthermore, this could be indicative of a larger issue regarding their short-term memory. If this is the case, they might need some more involved memory care from a quality assisted living facility such as McKnight Place.
2. Poor Self-Care
Another sign that your parent or loved one is going to need more help going forward involves their self-care. You might have noticed that the clothes they are wearing aren’t always clean or that they have stopped washing on a regular basis. This might mean that they either forget to address such things or that they simply cannot take care of themselves on their own.
Issues with self-care can also extend to their home. If their house has become dirtier and more cluttered than usual, then they might no longer be able to keep a clean home on their own.
3. They Aren’t Acting Like Themselves
Other signs that your parent needs more help than they once did involve changes to their mood and personality. If they quickly become anxious, angry, or sad for no major reason, they are likely under a great deal of stress trying to continue living alone. Another indicator is that they become easily confused by even the simplest of tasks, even ones they once performed every day.
If any or all of these signs apply to your parent or loved one, it is most likely time for you to start offering more assistance or to consider transitioning them into an assisted living facility.
