When an Aging Relative May Need Help

What to look for during holiday celebrations. — Jillian Berry, marketing director, The Birches of Lehigh Valley

With families living farther apart, the holidays have become a typical time for everyone to meet in person. These visits are an excellent time to observe if an aging parent or family member can stay safe, active, and healthy at home.

During your next holiday celebration, take note of the following signs that may indicate your senior loved one needs help:

The home’s exterior appeal

Does the yard and property look wellmaintained? Check for signs of plant overgrowth and if sidewalks and walkways are clear of debris.

Their living situation

Is the interior of your parents’ home as clean as the last time you visited? Household responsibilities like cleaning and maintenance can become more challenging to manage with age. Take notice of excessive dust, clutter, garbage, and other disrepair.

Look in the pantry, refrigerator, and medicine cabinet, too

Is the pantry stocked? Are foods expired or left spoiling in the fridge? What kinds of food they eating? A healthy diet can reduce your loved one’s risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.

Just as important as nutrition, taking the recommended dose of daily medications is essential to their well-being. Be sure to check for unopened or expired prescriptions and past-due refills.

Physical appearance

Does Mom or Dad look unkempt? Is clothing stained or ill-fitting due to noticeable weight loss or gain? Do you notice other signs of poor general hygiene, which can develop because of mobility issues or their inability to care for themselves?

Unexplained bruises or injuries

A significant number of injuries can signal your loved one’s struggles with mobility. Check inside the home for tripping and fall hazards, such as cords across walking surfaces, bumps or wrinkles from loose carpets and rugs and raised transition strips.

Changes in behavior

Have you noticed sudden mood swings or uncharacteristic behaviors, like saying inappropriate or rude words? The effects of cognitive decline can keep your loved one from engaging or maintaining conversations. Aside from memory loss, the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can manifest as irritability or anxiety. Celebrating get-togethers in new and unfamiliar settings can exacerbate these feelings.

It can be alarming to notice changes in your parents or family members’ wellbeing. If some of these signs relate to your loved one, it’s okay! Your parents are getting older, and they may need an extra set of caring hands to help them live healthier lives or the serenity of a supportive memory care neighborhood.

Although the timing can feel hectic, you mustn’t prolong sharing your observations with your aging parents. Enlisting trusted family members can help you begin the conversations regarding their long-term care plans and senior living options.

Places like The Birches of Lehigh Valley offer security, maintenance-free living, medication management, nutritious meal options, an on-site therapy program, invigorating exercise classes, and a jampacked activities program.

Our personal care neighborhood provides as little or as much assistance as needed with the goal of preserving independence through activities that support the mind, body, and spirit. Residents receive all the care and support they need to allow them the freedom to get back to the things they enjoy.

Daybreak at The Birches provides dignified care, security, and a meaningful lifestyle for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Based on the Positive Approach to Care® developed by Teepa Snow, one of America’s leading dementia educators, our memory care program creates a personalized care plan for each resident that focuses on what they can do and what makes them happy.

At The Birches, you’ll find our culture of care emphasizes our residents living their best lives. Thanks to many convenient amenities and services and dedicated and compassionate caregivers who will assist your loved one 24/7, your loved one can experience an enhanced retirement lifestyle, too. Talk with our senior care experts and learn how we can help!

Call 484-373-4072 or email jberry@thebirchesoflehighvalley.com.