When should parents stop living alone?

For some families the decision for elderly parents to stop living alone can very be clear-cut, for many however, it is a difficult choice to make.

Blue Water Homecare has extensive experience in providing safe and convenient home care for aging seniors in their private residence or at senior facilities.

We are familiar with the stresses that a family faces when deciding to seek care for their loved one who may be showing signs of failure in caring for themselves.

There are many indications to look for when asking the important question of when should my parents stop living alone?

Blue Water Homecare and Hospice founder and COO, Jennifer Prescott, RN, MSN, CDP and our team of expert caregivers have decades of experience in helping to gently guide families towards discovering the best and safest solution to fit their senior’s unique care needs, whether at home or in a facility.

Jennifer shares five signs to look for that may indicate parents need help at home or may be ready for another care setting:

Changes in mobility, balance and function

You may hear that your loved one has had falls. Physically you may see bruises on their arms, legs, or face. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that one in four seniors over 65 falls each year. One out of five falls results in a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. You may find that a loved one who is usually showered, dressed and ready for the day seems frail and ungroomed. This can be due to physical impairments or a fear of falling. A change in mobility can also cause depression and emotional withdrawal.

When visiting your parents, observe if they are able to move to and from essential areas in the house such as the kitchen and bathroom to care for themselves safely.

Changes to their home environment

Commonly, we see unopened mail, scorched pans, dirty bathrooms, piles of laundry, beeping smoke detectors, and refrigerators filled with expired foods. This is especially concerning if your loved one typically keeps a tidy home. They may be experiencing physical decline and not have the energy to maintain their home environment. Or, possibly, they may have memory loss and not realize the conditions in which they are living.

Unexplained weight loss

Weight loss could be an indication of a medical condition, memory impairment, depression, or an inability to shop for and prepare meals. Making sure that your loved one sees a medical provider to address the weight loss is critically important.

Unexplained dents on their car

As we age, our peripheral and night visions decline. Multiple scratches and dents on the car may indicate a person is unable to safely operate a motor vehicle. Memory changes and dementia are a real possibility and should be evaluated by a physician. Additionally, the state Department of Motor Vehicles and local driver rehabilitation programs may be able to assess someone’s safety skills while driving.

Frequent emergency room visits or hospitalizations

Many seniors have chronic medical conditions and require a significant number of medications to keep them healthy. If your parent has frequent ER or hospital stays, it may indicate their medical conditions need closer management. Reasons can include memory loss, inability to pay for medications or get to/from the pharmacy.

Each of these warning signs may point to a significant change in their physical or mental health and well-being.

Suggest to your loved one that you make an appointment with their primary care provider to touch base on their health, and then plan to join them for it.

Their provider may also be a helpful ally in initiating the conversation that it’s time to get help either at home, or consider transitioning to an assisted-living or nursing facility.

Blue Water Homecare offers a variety of services including general At Home, Dementia Care, specialized Parkinson’s Care, and Hospice and Bereavement Services.