What do you do when your loved one needs support? You can provide this support yourself, or you may need to seek out a professional who specializes in providing care for aging adults. Here are five signs to watch out for if you suspect your loved one needs extra care.
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They experience more physical injuries
If your loved one is experiencing more physical injuries, they may be showing early signs of needing to move into a supportive living community. As people age, they are more likely to end up with physical injuries from falls, lacerations, and burns, which could be down to a cognitive decline or mobility issues.
They struggle to take care of their home and garden
If your loved one starts to show signs of neglecting their home and garden, it may be time to intervene. It is important to take notice of any signs that they are struggling. One of the first signs is when the home starts to look a little worse for wear. Other signs to watch for include the dishes stacking up in the sink and food going off in the fridge. If you see these early warning signs it’s important to be vigilant, as this could be a sign they need support.
They need help staying on top of their medication
One of the challenges of senior living is staying on top of medication. It can be difficult to keep track of how often you need to take your medication and which items you need to keep on hand. Supportive living arrangements can provide a solution for this, in that they offer medication reminders for those in need them, and can help your loved one take their medication they need when they need it.
Mobility becomes an issue
With age comes an increased risk of falls. Falls can lead to broken bones, which can irreversibly alter a person’s quality of life and increase the likelihood of mobility issues. There are a few ways in which the risk of falls can be reduced, including using a cane or a walker. However, if these mobility aids aren’t enough, it may be time to consider supportive living near me to ensure there is someone on hand if a fall does happen; or if your loved one simply needs assistance getting around.
The situation is becoming a burden on family members
Many people may require supportive living as they age, which is not easy for other family members to handle. Older adults often require extra support due to physical or mental disabilities, and while you may wish to offer as much support as you can, it can become too much to bear. Trying to help with managing their medications, finances, or even personal care can cause family members to feel stressed and burnt out. In this case, it’s a good idea to think about acquiring assistance and finding out what type of care will work best for the individual.
This article has provided some information about potential early signs that your loved one may require supportive living in their senior years. It is important to be aware of these signs so that you can be ready for when your loved one does start to show them, meaning you can act quickly to put the relevant support in place.