When elderly parents function independently and take steps to ensure their health and happiness, it is a good indication that they can continue living on their own. However, the decline in their physical and mental capabilities due to normal aging can make it unsafe for individuals to live on their own at home. Answers to the following questions can help assess the capabilities of your Mom and Dad.
Successfully living on your own is a declaration of self-reliance and freedom. It is no wonder that aging parents lean toward an independent lifestyle. But as interdependent and social beings, individuals still need the support of others to maintain their physical, emotional and social well-being.
The Administration on Aging reports that as of 2017, about 14.3 million older adults live alone. However, living alone may no longer be an option for some. Social circles dwindle as people age, making it difficult for seniors to receive the support they need to function optimally.
In fact, aging people face countless risks, even in their own homes. Slippery bathroom tiles, steep stairways, dark corridors and rugs that are potential trip hazards are just a few of the common perils an individual must manage in everyday life.
Given the impacts of aging, lack of strong immune response and slower recovery times, the elderly are more prone to serious injury. It becomes a grave issue when an individual sustains a physical injury that may lead to hospitalization or extensive in-home care.
Has the mobility of your Mom or Dad been impaired?
Physical mobility can be impaired in the elderly. When an individual struggles to walk independently, it is a sign that extra help is necessary. Falls jeopardize in individual’s safety; and aging adults have a high risk for falling and experiencing a traumatic injury.
Furthermore, falls are among the leading causes of death in the elderly. When aging parents live alone, no one is available to help them in the event they fall. If your Mom or Dad has fallen once or more during the past year, reconsider letting them live alone at home.
Has your Mom or Dad been diagnosed with dementia?
Being unable to remember vital information can lead to forgetting to take necessary medication. Individuals diagnosed with dementia are more likely to forget to take prescription medications, and / or take the incorrect dosages which can lead to serious health issues. Medication reminders from an in-home caregiver or family member are crucial.
Wandering is one of many dementia related behaviors. The likelihood of wandering, getting lost and suffering harm are very good reasons to not let Mom or Dad live alone. A dementia caregiver ensures the doors remain locked, and, in the event the senior wanders, guides him safely back home.
Is your Mom or Dad feeling; isolated, depressed or anxious?
Socially engaged individual lives a longer and happier life, filled with a sense of purpose.
Plus, when an individual is socially isolated, depression is a potential outcome. When living alone, individuals have no one to notice if they are depressed and, therefore offer the needed support. Anxiety, too, can plague individuals when they live alone, mostly because they feel unsafe. In these instances, aging parents should not live alone.
Does Mom or Dad practice self-care?
Similarly, when the house is unkempt and household chores are left undone, it is a sign that the individual is no longer able to perform these duties. Sometimes, for people living on their own, mowing the lawn, cleaning the kitchen, and tidying up the bathroom are too physically strenuous to handle.
Living on your own requires physical and mental fortitude. Not every individual can continue to fully support himself / herself without additional support at some point. But living with an adult child can lead to a loss of privacy and freedom (for both parties); sometimes, leading Mom or Dad feeling like a burden.
Individuals today have many options that allow them to experience the freedom associated with living on their own. Senior living communities help individuals plan for the future, give them opportunities to socially connect with others and preserve as much independence as possible.
Many other individuals prefer to age in place. Living in the comfort and familiarity of home is made possible by hiring professional caregivers, like those from Assisting Hands Richmond. Countless individuals continue to thrive at home by benefitting from our dependable home care services.
Assisting Hands Richmond
Professional Caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care Richmond are dedicated to promoting independence in the clients we serve. When additional support is needed, our Caregivers are available. We provide a wide range of nonmedical support to help individuals perform all the activities of daily living.
We assess the home for fall risks and provide support for individuals who have mobility issues. Families and individuals living with dementia can rely on our compassionate memory care services. Our Caregivers are trained to identify symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia and provide the necessary care and support.
Our dementia trained Caregivers can lead wandering individuals back home, calm agitated clients, and ensure that the individuals they care for, take the correct medications on time and in the right dose. Core responsibilities include assistance with personal hygiene tasks, meal preparation, and light housekeeping.
Isolation and loneliness are avoided by the comforting presence of an Assisting Hands Caregivers. We can stimulate the minds of our clients with pleasant conversation, games and the pursuit of hobbies. Our companionship services are integral to the well-being of our care recipients.
When your Mom and Dad are hesitant to live alone or they require additional support, turn to Assisting Hands Richmond. We take pride in helping individuals continue to live with dignity and independence. Call us today (804) 500-9787 for a no obligation in-home consultation.
