As your loved one grows older, they may face new challenges. Some older adults may experience a decline in their mobility or memory, or may even require additional assistance with tasks related to daily living.

Some signs that suggest your loved one may benefit from senior living include:

• Difficulty with tasks associated with daily living

• Increased forgetfulness 

• Mobility concerns 

• Behavioral changes 

• Frequent medical concerns

Growing Support for Elder Care

Finding the suitable level of support and care for your loved one is important. Care communities like assisted living, memory care, and respite care focus on different levels of care: 

• Assisted Living: Aims to offer a balance between independence and assistance. Supports residents in maintaining as much autonomy as possible while making sure their care needs are met. 
• Memory Care: A specialized form of long-term care designed for individuals experiencing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Provides round-the-clock care in a safe environment with specialized therapies and activities to help stimulate cognitive function.
• Respite Care: A form of short-term care that is great for families who are traveling, undergoing home renovations, or experiencing caregiver burnout. Also ideal for older adults who are recovering from illness, injury, or surgery and who require additional support as they heal.

10 Signs Your Elderly Parent Needs Help

Recognizing that your loved one may require additional assistance and support is important. Early intervention is key for maintaining their quality of life and preventing injuries.

Senior living provides professional care and assistance targeted at the unique needs of those growing older. Recognizing the following signs can help determine which form of care is best suited to your loved one:

1. Changes in Personal Hygiene 

A noticeable decline in personal hygiene is a sign that your loved one may require help. If they are unable to bathe, brush their teeth, or change their clothes, then they may need help with daily activities.

Senior living communities like assisted living or memory care provide residents with support for daily living activities.

2. Unexplained Weight Loss 

Sudden weight loss can signal several concerns. Frequently forgetting to prepare meals or eat can be associated with cognitive decline. 

Community living offers balanced and nutritional meals prepared by our professional staff. Your loved one will no longer stress over their meal plans. We take care of our residents by providing them tasty, nutritious meals.

3. Increased Forgetfulness

Everyone forgets, it’s normal!

However, frequent memory lapses can be concerning and may indicate the early stages of cognitive decline. Forgetfulness can also lead to health and safety risks, such as forgetting medications, missing appointments or payments, or even forgetting to turn off home appliances.

If your parent is showing frequent signs of memory lapses, then it may be time to consider memory care. 

4. Mobility Concerns 

If your loved one is having difficulty walking or having frequent falls, the cause may be mobility concerns associated with growing older.

Mobility aids, professional support, and open floor plan designs in senior living communities help to reduce accidents and injuries. 

5. Social Isolation

Though social isolation can happen to anyone, it is also linked with medical conditions like dementia. Even beyond dementia, social isolation can lead to depression and other mental health issues. Having a support network of family and friends is vital to a person’s healthy well-being. As such, it’s important to maintain a senior’s social community.

Senior living communities provide residents with lots of opportunities to connect with others. Activities like arts and crafts, fitness classes, book clubs, etc, are all great ways for residents to bond together over activities, maintaining social connection and helping to improve overall well-being.

6. Financial Mismanagement

Frequently missing bill payments or making unusual financial decisions can indicate that your loved one may be experiencing cognitive decline.

In memory care, residents have access to a safe home environment, balanced and nutritious meals, and therapeutic activities, which eliminates their need to worry about day-to-day finances. This reduces the risk of financial mishaps. 

7. Poor Home Maintenance

A once tidy home that has become cluttered or neglected may signal that your loved one is struggling with housekeeping tasks. They may no longer have the energy or stamina to maintain their living space like they once did, or they may be experiencing cognitive decline.

Nonetheless, living in an untidy home poses safety hazards for your loved one.

Community living provides routine housekeeping for all residents. Your loved one will no longer have to stress over household chores and can spend the day enjoying activities they love. 

8. Behavioral Changes

Significant changes in mood or behavior like increased agitation, anxiety, or depression are associated with memory decline. These behavioral changes can pose a safety risk to your loved one or others if not handled appropriately.

Our professional staff in memory care is trained to handle the unique challenges associated with memory decline, including behavioral and mood changes. Our trained staff works to manage and support residents with these challenges. 

9. Difficulty Managing Medications 

Some older adults require multiple medications to maintain and improve their overall health and well-being. If your loved one is struggling to manage medications, this could pose a risk to their safety.

Senior living communities offer medication management services, making sure your loved one takes the correct medication at the appropriate time.

10. Frequent Medical Concerns 

Frequent trips to the hospital or worsening chronic conditions may indicate that your parent needs more comprehensive care. Caring for your loved one is rewarding, but sometimes the responsibility becomes too big to handle alone.

Staff in senior living communities offer comprehensive, 24/7 care and have medical staff available to monitor and address health concerns.

Schedule a Visit

Recognizing the signs that your loved one needs help is important for their well-being. Understanding care community options can help you make an informed decision about the senior living community that suits your parent’s needs. 

Connect with our team at Ralston Creek Neighborhood to schedule a visit to our senior living communities.