How to evaluate if a senior needs help

Most of us want to make sure our parents, grandparents, and other senior loved ones are well taken care of as they grow older. But how can you tell when a senior you love needs extra help if they don’t ask for it?

This generation of elders is known for being fiercely independent and they might be reluctant to admit they need a little extra help.

Like many of us, seniors want to remain as independent as they can for as long as possible. That’s why you probably shouldn’t wait for an older loved one to ask for help.

How can you evaluate your senior loved one’s circumstances? And decide if it’s time to talk with them about personal care support or help with household chores and tasks?

Plan to spend a little time assessing the situation.

There are almost always telltale signs that a senior is in need of help. Here are a few warning signs.

Environmental signs include a messy house, including dirty dishes clutter and an overall inattention to cleanliness; frequent, unpleasant odors; if you notice the outside of the house or yard is in a state of disrepair, it might be time to consider a little assistance.

Physical Signs include a persistently disheveled appearance, frequent, unexplained bruises or scrapes, and unintended weight loss or gain. Any of these signs might point to your loved one’s need for assistance.

Signs that the problems might stem from a decline in cognition or emotional wellness include persistent forgetfulness, confusion and/or difficulty keeping track of time, sudden changes in their daily routine, including sleep problems or withdrawing from hobbies and social groups. Any of these signs should trigger a trip to your loved one’s personal care physician.

What to do if your senior loved one needs help

The best approach is to remain calm but begin to take action.

Use a calendar to document your concerns and the dates they occurred on. It will help you begin to spot trends. This is good information to share with your senior loved one’s physician, which should be a first step in getting help.

And remember that we’re always here to help.

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to arrange a tour at Concordia Retirement Community. We offer independent senior living (which includes support services such as weekly housekeeping, one meal a day in our dining room, all maintenance and access to a wellness nurse, and other amenities) as well as assisted living. We can be reached at 479-855-3714.