Does your parent need assistance in the home?

During the holiday season, we often spend more time with family and friends than throughout the rest of the year. Although it’s a difficult thing to discuss during the holidays, the care of aging parents is something that is important to evaluate when family is gathered and more time is spent with aging parents and friends.

In the case of injury or chronic illness, it is clear to see when a parent may need help. But more often the decline happens gradually. More and more people are also seeing parents in the early stages of dementia, when simple tasks become harder for parents to accomplish on their own.

Deciding to bring someone into the home to help with care is not an easy decision. Parents aren’t always willing to admit they need help. There are a few warning signs and questions to ask to help you decide if your loved one is ready for home care or elder living assistance:

• Is your parent telling you that he is eating, but you’re seeing food go bad in the refrigerator?

• Have you seen your parent wearing the same clothes when you go to visit?

• Is medication lasting longer than it should, signaling that parents are missing days or doses of medication?

• Does your parent have increased forgetfulness or are they missing appointments?

.....blog continued at www.crittentonhc.com.