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When Should You Worry About Your Senior Parents?

November 16, 2022 0 Comment Category: Care Center

After visiting your senior parents over the holidays, you might be wondering whether you should be worrying about the health of your parents or plan for some additional help. How do you know when to start worrying about your senior parents? While each person is unique, there are some guidelines offered by senior care experts that can help you to know if your worries are warranted. Also, always remember that if you are worried about your senior parents, you can talk honestly with your parents about your worries. It can also be helpful if you can get the trusted geriatrician of your senior parents involved in the discussion to put your worries to rest or provide you with a follow-up plan.

The signs shared by senior care experts in our assisted living facility can help you understand whether your worries about your aging parents are genuine.

Weight Loss

You need to be worried if your senior parents are losing weight unexpectedly. Unexplained weight loss can indicate physical health issues or memory issues. Try to check the refrigerator the next time you visit your parents. Look out for expired food items or otherwise empty shelves. These could be clear indications that your aging parents are forgetting to eat.

Expressed Loneliness

If your senior loved one lives alone, be wary when they mention loneliness. Isolation can be very easy with age and reduced interactions with family or friends can be dangerous, especially for seniors. Studies show that loneliness can lead to faster progression of memory issues as well as increased anxiety and depression. If your senior loved one says that he/she is lonely, you need to find more ways to get the person more connected to family and friends.

Judgment Problems

Memory loss is the first warning sign of dementia disorders. But senior care experts say that signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementia disorders can pop up much sooner than forgetfulness. You need to watch out for impairments in regard to complex tasks or judgment. For instance, if your senior loved one is unable to navigate their checkbook, or is no longer paying their bills on time, you need to investigate further.

New Medications

With the age of your senior loved one, health issues can become more complex. Your senior loved one may not be able to handle things when medication schedules become complex. Luckily, many assisted living communities offer medication management plans, which can take the heavy responsibility of repeated medications and injections off of your senior loved one.