Signs That Your Parent is Struggling
Sometimes it is easy to miss the obvious especially if you are not intentionally looking for it. Many crisis’s that occur with the elderly are avoidable. Below are potential signs that your parent might be struggling. Signs that if you pay attention, you can save your parent some trips to the emergency room.
Poor hygiene is a sign that an elderly person is beginning to struggle with self-care. Watch for: soiled clothes, unwashed hair, dirty fingernails, wearing the same clothes day after day, sores, swollen feet, rashes. Any of these things can lead to infections both from sores and urinary tract. Many elderly persons go to ER from these types of infections that have spread and have become critical. Sepsis is a life threatening condition starting from an infection.
It is common for the elderly to start skipping showers and oral care. It is a lot of work and energy to shower when you are feeling weak and tired.
Repeated falls is a sign of a physical decline. It can also be a cognitive decline and the inability to have good judgement towards their abilities. I had a lady who fell previous to moving in with us for bending over for the laundry basket. She broke her hip and went to Er and rehab for several weeks. Falling can create a cycle of decline, as they walk less, they become weaker and increase their risk of falling. A daily walk makes a world of difference in their strength and confidence (with stand by assistance). Physical therapist’s also help greatly in improving balance and strength. This is usually available thru their health insurance and is initiated by their md.
Recurrent hospitalizations are a sign of decline. Many repeated hospitalizations for the elderly could be prevented with oversight and care. Hospitalizations for urinary infections, falls, dehydration, and medication errors can be prevented or minimized.
Clutter in the house, not getting or opening mail, not paying bills, unwashed dishes or laundry is a sign that they can not keep up with daily tasks. For the elderly personal care can take all of their strength and energy leaving little left for household tasks.
Not wanting to go out. A parent who normally is social may begin to express the desire to stay home, even on holidays. Sometimes it becomes too much energy to prepare for and endure an outing.
Forgetting daily basics is not a sign of aging it is a sign of dementia. All elderly do not have memory decline. Take note of signs that your parent is losing cognition, judgment, the ability to maintain a daily schedule. This can be a very unsafe situation.
Not taking medications correctly is a serious and an important cause of elderly needing care. Medication needs to be taken regularly and on time and correct dosing to be effective and safe. Know your parent’s medications and track that they are taking them correctly.
Not drinking enough fluids. Seems simple but many if not most elderly do not drink enough fluids because it makes them need the bathroom too often or they just don’t like it. This ends in dehydration that increases weakness, falls, infections, hospitalizations, and even death if unchecked. Something so simple as drinking water.
Recurrent urinary tract Infections (UTI) is a common and potentially dangerous infection for the elderly. It can be caused by lack of fluids, lack of movement, incontinence, improper hygiene to name a few. You can die from an undiagnosed UTI. A most noticeable symptom is change in behavior or cognition.
