Knowing When Your Parent Needs Help: The Mental Signs

 

 

Knowing When Your Parent Needs Help-- The Mental Signs

As we mentioned in our previous post about the physical signs of knowing when your parent needs help, knowing when to extend a helping hand out to your parents can be rather difficult. This is especially true for those parents who really cherish their independence.

As a result, figuring out when the time is right can require a bit of detective work on your end.

We already covered the physical signs, so today, we’re going to talk about a few of the mental signs that an aging parent needs help. Take a look below:

Not just a senior moment

Your parents may want to shrug off their forgetfulness or mood swings as another one of those senior moments, but the reality is that these can be serious signs of a decline in their health.

While we’re not suggesting that you should self-diagnose these situations as symptoms of dementia or Alzheimers, we do believe it is necessary to be aware of the possibility of these issues. In turn, your preparedness can help a professional make an expert judgment for you.

Here are some signs to help make a more informed decision on the matter:

Memory loss

Memory loss can cause a lot of trouble for your loved ones, in turn making it difficult for them to care for themselves. Some signs of memory loss may include:

  • Medication errors or forgetting to take medication all together
  • Getting lost frequently
  • Forgetting to pay bills
  • Forgetting to do familiar tasks, such as making coffee, locking the door, etc
  • Accusing others of stealing (e.g. money, food, household items)
  • Difficulty cooking (e.g. burnt pots and pans/food)

Depression/Anxiety

A change in your parents mood can also be a sign of a decline in health that can compromise how they care for themselves. Although difficult to detect, here are some signs that your loved ones may be experiencing depression of anxiety:

  • Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
  • Frequent mood swings
  • Increased feeling of guiltiness in being helped
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Increased lack of energy
  • Increased pain
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Lack of self-regard

Though it may be difficult to watch your parents health and well-being decline, taking the initiative to look out for these signs sooner rather than later is one of the best ways to prevent any further problems from developing. In turn, you help to ensure that they maintain and/or improve their health, increasing the chances of them aging comfortably.

If you ever feel concerned about your parents state of health and would like to have your questions answered, please give Encompass a call “we are dedicated to ensuring the best care in all stages of the aging process.

Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living “currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa“provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!

photo credit: CaptPiper via photopin cc

“Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit http://www.private-duty.pchhc.com.”