Signs Your Parent Should No Longer Be Living Alone

It’s saddening for any adult to admit that a parent—who has presumably spent a lifetime caring, nurturing, and helping them—has now become the one who needs extra care and help.

Do you ever realize that your aging parents may need more help than you can give?

Life is busy and you can’t be there for them all the time. Balancing between work, children, and day-to-day demands created by caring for an elderly loved one can sometimes outweigh the logistical, financial, or emotional resources available. Also, probably you don’t have the right skills to provide them the best care they need at this age. In fact, many seniors also feel guilty or ashamed about depending on others for small things and needing extra attention and care.

But how do you really make out that it’s no longer safe for your aging parents to live alone? Here are some signs your aged parent should not live alone—without personal home care services:

1. Forgetfulness and memory lapses

If your aging parent often loses their way going to even the most familiar destinations like the grocery store, bank, community center, or their place of worship, it’s a big red flag that also puts their safety at stake. If they mix up or forget to keep track of medication in their pillbox, it is a sign that they are not able to comprehend their medication routine. Forgetfulness and confusion are worrying signs that need attention.

Similarly, forgetting to pay bills and missing deadlines every month, which they have been taking care of for decades may be a sign of memory illness and too serious to ignore.

2. Noticeable weight loss or gain

If you observe that your aged parent is showing unexplained weight loss or gain and changes in personal appearance, this could be a warning sign that you shouldn’t ignore. They could be sick without knowing it or may be clinically depressed, and experiencing a reduced desire to eat. It may also be a sign that they are not eating well or eating unhealthy, which if continues, can be harmful to their health.

3. Mobility issues and frequent falls

It’s time to talk to your once-active parent about getting senior care service if they spend most of their time in bed or face difficulty getting around the home or taking stairs. It is an indication of mobility issues and worth paying some extra attention to.

Frequent falling is another common issue in elderly people. But don’t expect them to tell you about it every time. You have to be a bit of a detective and notice if they have cuts or bruises anywhere on their skin or clutter on the floor, which they might be avoiding due to fear of losing their balance.

4. Trouble with daily tasks and neglecting personal hygiene

Next time you go to see your aging parent, take a keen look at things to learn if he or she is able to carry out their daily tasks for themselves at home, such as cooking meals, bathing, and dressing, doing laundry or mopping floors. Check if the food in the refrigerator is getting spoilt for not being used timely, if the mailbox is stacked with unopened mails or if the garbage bin is being taken out regularly.

If they are not being able to keep up with housekeeping like they used to, it can be a sign that they may need more assistance.

5. Become defensive and paranoid

There are quite a few instances of aging people becoming too defensive, get angry, or behave in an irritated way. These could be signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s or some other physical illness. It is important to discuss their paranoid behavior with the doctor and is a sign that they should no longer be living alone. Seniors can become combative or suspicious of people around them, including family, friends, and neighbors, as they fail to figure out who’s trying to help and who’s trying to hurt them.

Here’s a tip: know their outbursts are not directed at you, keep yourself calm during such situations and get professional help to deal with your parent’s behavior.

6. Socially isolated and withdrawn

Generally, your parent will not openly speak about their problems or deny them completely. But as an adult child, you should notice if your parent isn’t communicating well or moving towards social isolation, which may affect their functional ability and damage their health.

Also, notice if they have stopped returning to your letters or calls, ignoring social groups or family gatherings, or giving up on hobbies and interests; these are signs that it’s time to bring in help in the form of elderly companion care service for your aging parent. Lack of enthusiasm in things they used to previously enjoy could be a sign of depression or poor physical health.

Other warning signs that indicate it may not be safe anymore for your parent to live alone include being persistently exhausted, denying or hiding problems, trouble driving or anxiety around driving, mood swings, abusive behavior, and strange or unusual new online habits.

What to Do When an Elderly Parent Can No Longer Live Alone?

It’s important to realize that being able to live on their own is a sign of pride and independence for many aging parents. You don’t want to take that away from them. But if you see these signs in your aging parent, you know they need extra support.

At Ambassadors Caregivers, in-home senior care service is making aging in place possible for millions of seniors. Your aging parents can spend their golden years in the comfort of their home—the place they feel happiest and most comfortable—instead of moving to a depressing nursing home or assisted care facility. It makes a great choice for older adults who need non-medical assistance (like meal prep, housekeeping, driving, laundry, etc.) or just some extra social support (in the form of elderly companion care).

As one of the most trusted provider of personal home care services, we make personalized senior care possible with a comprehensive care plan that meets your loved one’s unique needs, living conditions, and personal preferences. Not only does elderly care service ensure your aging loved one gets the support they need in the comfort and safety of their home but is also more affordable as compared to full-time assisted living facilities.

Ready to get started with the best in-home senior care in Houston? Get in touch with Ambassadors Caregivers today!