LIVING ALONE:
Mom, Dad living at home by themselves. Not sure they are safe? Do they need help? What type of care do they need?
Every ones goal is to live at home as you age. If you ask your loved one when it is time to move to in with you or find an alternative living arrangement such as assisted living or nursing home. They will say, “Not me, I am not ready”. “I want to live here in my own home until I die”.
True no one really wants to move from the familiarity and comfort of their own home. Here are some Warning Signs that you as an adult child or close friend need to look for to determine if they are taking care of themselves or need additional help.
What to look for:
Change in their personal grooming –
Bathing – not bathing, body odors
Hair care – not washing or brushing hair
Nails trimmed and clean – check finger and toe nails
Clothing being changed daily, staying in the same clothing all day/night
Brushing their teeth/dentures
Check their skin for bruises, sores, scrapes and dryness
Mobility – can they safely walk, get up from a lying or sitting position without assistance,
Household Activities –
Check bathroom and kitchen for cleanliness
Bed linens – cleaned, routinely changed
Look at dishes, pots/pans for cleanliness or use, check for burned pots/pans
Check refrigerator – spoiled foods, lack of food items
Check for expired food dates (canned goods, boxed foods items, frozen foods)
Cleanliness of living areas (floors, dust)
Temperature – too hot or cold
Check the mailbox – uncollected mail, returned mail (lack of postage)
Finances
Paying their bills
Utility turn off notices
Review checking account – overdrafts, returned checks, sufficient funds in accounts, unauthorized use
Safety
Missed Appointments/ Outings– doctor, dentist, hair appointments, church, senior center, friends
Check prescribed medications and over the counter medications – not properly taken, overused, expired, multiple bottles of medications
Stove left on
Refrigerator doors open
Indication of falls – furniture moved, dropped items, bruising on person
Not answering the phone
Doors and windows unlocked
Emergency situations – remember to call 911, answering the door, what to do if an emergency occurs
Driving a vehicle – should they be driving, recent accidents, lost while driving
These are just a few of the things that you can look for with your loved ones that are relatively easy to detect and not cause conflict.
If you see any of these changes, you need to actively look at ways to assist them in their home or find alternative ways to help them maintain their independence.
Options for Care in the Home:
- Family and friends to provide care and monitor their needs
- Have loved one live with you
- Seek Caregiving Services ( Licensed, Insured) Monitored by an RN
- Care Management Services – assess, plan and monitor care needs.
- Find Assisted Living or Nursing Home Care depending on their needs
If you are not sure what to do and need Professional Assistance to assess the situation and give you alternative options for care. Please feel free to contact RESPONSE CARE SERVICES at NO COST
We will gladly provide you with a FREE IN HOME Assessment
No Obligation
410-571-2947
