Senior Care in Granite Bay CA
It is difficult to think about your aging loved one ever needing help handling basic daily needs. Not recognizing that your parent needs senior care, however, can leave her with unmet needs and 
even threaten her health, well-being, and safety as she ages in place. Unfortunately, not all of the signs that an aging adult is in need of support and assistance are as obvious as you might think they would be. It is these often subtle signs that may be the first indication that your parent is in need of help. Unfortunately, they can be easy to miss. You may not realize that the problems exist until they escalate to something serious. It is also easy to just overlook them because even if you do notice them, habit and instinct cause you to fix them immediately rather than really taking note of them.
The signs that your parent needs help could indicate that she is dealing with physical, cognitive, or other limitations that could put her at serious risk. The earlier that you are able to recognize signs that your parent needs help, the better able you will be to address those needs effectively.
Some of the more subtle signs that your aging loved one may be in need of senior care include:
- Expired or spoiled food in the refrigerator or sitting out on the counter that has not been thrown away, particularly if you have noticed it more than once
- Not having fresh, healthy food in the house
- Trash that has not been taken out or that has not been properly put in the trash can
- Not going to doctor’s appointments, club meetings, or other events on time or at all
- Unpleasant smells in the house
- Unexplained or more frequent bruising, cuts, and scrapes
- Dents, scrapes, or other minor to moderate damage on a vehicle if your parent still drives
- Sudden changes in mood or frequent mood swings
- Increase in body odor
- Not changing clothes
- Wearing unseasonable clothing or clothing that does not match or is not appropriate together
- Wearing wrinkled, stained, or damaged clothing, especially if this is outside of her usual personality
- No longer wanting to participate in activities or hobbies that she once enjoyed
- Not taking medication properly. This can be not taking it on time, taking the wrong dose, combining medications that should not be combined, or taking the wrong medication for her symptoms
- More than one day’s worth of mail in the mailbox
- Clutter throughout the home
- Changes in hygiene or grooming such as not bathing frequently enough, not brushing her teeth, not styling her hair, or suddenly stopping wearing makeup
- Financial problems such as bounced checks, missed bill payments, or an overdrawn bank account
- Difficulty standing up from a sitting position
- Changes in her gait
- Asking for help with tasks and activities that are familiar and not outside of her physical capabilities
- Balance and mobility problems
- Seeming forgetful
- Slowed cognitive response
- Confusion even in familiar situations
If you notice any of these issues, it may be time to hire a senior health care services provider to help your parent handle her personal needs. This can enable her to live comfortably, safely, and healthily as she ages in place.
If you or an aging loved one needs senior care services near Granite Bay, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
- Four Key Steps to Better Self-Care for Your Aging Loved One - November 13, 2024
- Know the Symptoms of Pneumonia - November 7, 2024
- Nighttime Delirium Symptoms and Home Treatment - October 29, 2024
