Deciding whether aging adults are able to live safely at home independently is one of the hardest choices for families, especially adult children, to make. Because your aging loved one’s health and level of abilities are critical to making determinations about his or her ability to live independently, keep reading to learn about a few items that indicate your loved one’s safety at home may be at risk.
Forgetfulness
Does your loved one have a problem with paying the bills? Does your parent forget about appliances being left on or fail to keep the home free of trash and filth? Are doors and windows left unlocked in the home? The inability to remember to do everyday activities often demonstrates a senior needs some form of assistance to complete regular routines.
Mobility
Signs that help is needed can include being unable to stand up or walk without assistance. Shortness of breath and exerting extreme physical effort to perform a simple task such as washing the dishes is also a sign your loved one needs help. If your loved one has recently experienced a fall or injury and didn’t receive proper care, he or she may still be at risk for another accident because the original injury hasn’t healed or been taken care of properly.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional elder care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Cleanliness
When you visit the home, an untidy kitchen, bath, and bedroom are other signs your loved one may be having difficulty managing routine daily activities. Getting rid of clutter can increase your loved one’s safety and mobility. Remove extra furniture, books, papers, and collectibles that could fall off shelves and tables and create a tripping risk. You can also reduce your loved one’s chances of falling by attaching power cords along the wall or behind furniture.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Opelika seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.
Driving Skills
If your loved one still drives, signs that alternative transportation services are needed include scratches or dents in the car from hitting things he or she couldn’t see, marks on the tires from not being able to judge the size of a parking space, or tire marks along the curb or lawn of the home and driveway. These may indicate a physical ability, such as vision or hearing, is no longer as sharp as it needs to be for your loved one to drive safely.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide in-home care. Opelika families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (334) 744-7100 today.