By Chris Berry
Is your mom or dads unopened mail piling up? Is your dad, who previously took great pride in his wardrobe, wearing dirty clothes and paying little attention to his appearance? Are there bruises or cuts on your aging parent’s arms that they cannot explain or remember? When you ask your aging parent these questions do they dismiss you and ensure that everything is alright?
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It is difficult for aging parents to admit that they need help because that is to admit that they are no longer able to take care of themselves. “Denial is the unrealistic hope that a problem is not really happening and will go away by itself. Admitting they need help and accepting assistance is not easy for people as they age. It represents a loss of independence. Denial plays a major role – and signs get ignored,” says Paul Hogan, Founder and Chairman of Home Instead Senior Care.
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As a result, it is the family’s duty to identify the warning signs that an aging parent may need assistance with day-to-day living tasks. Recognizing these signs doesn’t necessarily mean that your parent needs to be put in assisted living or a nursing home, but it likely means that they some help in their home. Here are are some signs that will allow you to recognize is your elderly parent needs some help at home:
Rotten food sitting around
Failure to attend important appointments
Bruises that cannot be explained
Difficulty getting up when seated
Trouble with walking, balance and mobility
Difficulty completing tasks that were once easy
A tendency to forget
Body odor
Poor hygiene
Intense urine smell in the house
Obvious decline in grooming habits and personal care
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Extreme clutter and dirty laundry piling up
Piles of unopened mail or an overflowing mailbox
Notices of late payments, bounced checks and calls from bill collectors
Declining diet or weight loss
Disinterest in hobbies and activities
Extreme mood swings
Failure to take medications – or taking more than the prescribed dosage
Diagnosis of dementia or early onset Alzheimer’s
Unexplained dents and scratches on a car
Read more: http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/signs-your-parent-needs-help-143228.htm
Christopher J. Berry is an elder law lawyer in Michigan Dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.theeldercarefirm.com/ or call 248.481.4000
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