Table Talk Tuesday: Does Your Aging Parent Need Help Series

Part 4: Physical Clues That Your Parents Are Neglecting Household Responsibilities

How will you know when your elderly parents need help at home? One thing is certain: your parents aren’t likely to be the ones who tell you they need a helping hand! Admitting the need for help and accepting assistance are not easy for people as they age. One way to avoid this is to start regularly monitoring your parents’ physical and mental abilities and researching long-term care options. This will ensure you are prepared should your parents begin to show signs of needing help.

Physical Clues That Your Parents Are Neglecting Household Responsibilities

• Inability to independently complete Instrumental ADLs.

• Dirty house and/or extreme clutter.

• Stacks of unopened mail, late payment notices or bounced checks.

• Unpaid bills, calls from collectors or utilities being turned off.

• Spoiled food that doesn’t get thrown away.

• Little or no fresh, healthy food or overall low food supply.

• Stained or wet furniture or carpet.

• Urine odor in house (signs of incontinence).

• Pots and pans with noticeable burn marks could indicate food has been left unattended while cooking or reheating.

• General upkeep, such as the lawn, snow removal or garbage collection, not being maintained as normal.

• Signs of unsafe driving, such as automobile dents and scratches.

• Unfilled prescriptions.

If you find yourself answering yes to some or all of these changes to your loved one, rest assured that Indigo Nursing has a full range of caregivers ready to handle your loved one's caregiving needs. Call today to schedule a free consultation. Original article: Agingcare.com

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