Caregiver: How Can You Tell If Your Parents Are Neglecting Their Needs?
Caregiver: Are there things your parents struggle to do? Do they try to hide it?
Elder self-neglect is more common than you might think. You visit your mom and dad for Thanksgiving, and all is fine. When you visit months later, their house is cluttered. They’re in dirty clothing, and their refrigerator barely has any food in it. At that point, you can’t ignore that they’re not caring for themselves. Too much needs attention, and you’re not sure how they hid things from you for so long. Having a caregiver around might help you to keep an eye on things.
Many older adults feel embarrassed by their changing health and abilities. They will try to keep it from their family rather than admit they’re getting older and not as able as they used to be. What signs should you look for?
Caregiver in Berwyn PA: Caregiver Assistance
Depression
As health changes or loneliness and isolation set in, your parents may experience depression. Warning signs include a lack of interest in things that used to bring them joy, insomnia, and mood swings. If your parents get easily frustrated and snap at you for little things, it can be a sign of depression.
Falling
Falling can be one of the biggest signs of a health issue. Loss of balance and stability may be caused by arthritis, blood pressure/dizziness, or side effects to medications they take. It can also be a sign of weakening muscles or bones.
Inability to Manage Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Instrumental activities of daily living include tasks most people do to take care of themselves and their homes. It includes paying bills and managing finances, cooking meals and shopping for groceries, and keeping the house clean.
If your parents are having difficulty paying bills, ordering prescription refills, or scheduling doctor’s appointments, it risks their well-being. They need someone to help them if they’re going to live at home safely.
Poor Hygiene and Personal Care
If your parents are struggling with personal care and hygiene, it’s another sign that their health and abilities are changing. They could need help doing simple things like washing and styling their hair or brushing and flossing their teeth.
They’re exposed to more bacteria when they can’t do their laundry and keep wearing the same clothes for days or weeks. Your dad gets a scratch on his leg and puts on dirty pants. He’s exposing that cut to all of the bacteria.
Caregiver: Weight Loss or Gain
Have your parents lost weight? They could be skipping meals because it’s too hard to prepare nutritious meals. Or, they forget to eat.
They may be gaining excessive weight if they’re relying on takeout meals or heat-and-eat meals. Foods that have high sugar and saturated fat content may lead to weight gain.
Either way, malnutrition needs to be addressed. It could be time to hire caregivers to take your parents shopping for groceries, plan weekly menus, and cook meals for them.
Home care assistance is vital as your parents’ health and abilities change. When they struggle with tasks that once were simple to complete, make sure they have the help they need from a caregiver. Call a home care assistance specialist to learn more.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring a Caregiver in Berwyn, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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