As we get older, it’s only natural we’ll need more assistance to perform the tasks in our daily lives. Many people won’t realize they need help or will have a hard time admitting they need it, so it’s up to you to watch for the signs that your parent may need assisted living.
Buildup of Clutter In the Home
The home is where you may see the first signs your parent is having more trouble in their day-to-day life. For example, if you find clutter around the home that inhibits walking, expired groceries in the kitchen, or laundry that remains unwashed. Any form of buildup is a sign they may be struggling with the daily upkeep of chores; it may be too much for them to handle alone.
Personal Hygiene Suffers
Much like their home, their personal hygiene may begin to deteriorate. This can take several forms, including wearing old, dirty, or tattered clothing or going long periods of time without showering. This can be a sign the act of cleaning themselves has become too difficult or that they’ve begun to forget that they haven’t washed recently.
They Have Recently Had a Fall
This is typically the last sign before people see their parent needs assisted living. This can be a culmination of a few factors—such as clutter posing fall hazards, as previously mentioned—or they cannot properly support themselves anymore. When it’s come to the point they can no longer go through the day without running the risk of injury, then they will need help to go about their lives.
Do Not Wait Until Physical Injury
Identifying the signs that your parent may need assisted living before they hurt themselves gives you the chance to get them the help they need. This doesn’t mean your parent has to be uprooted from their home; they can have at-home caregivers to assist them. There are many benefits to at-home caregivers, and the biggest advantage is that your parent will be safe.
