The holidays, while offering families time to reunite and reminisce, also enable younger family members to see how their elders are faring. Holiday visits home can raise concerns among adult children and can prompt discussions of changes needed to protect the health and safety of aging parents.
If your parents are already residing in an independent living retirement community or a personal care or assisted living home, you should be assured that their daily needs are being met to your satisfaction. If they are still living in their own private home, Country Meadows Retirement Communities encourages you to consider how they were managing over the holidays. Many seniors, particularly those who take pride in living independently, may withhold information that they feel could change their living situation.
With assistance from AARP’s assessment list covering four key areas, here are some questions for adult children to ask themselves to help determine how their aging parents are doing.
Home: Did they maneuver stairs safely? Do you recall seeing safety or fire hazards, like loose rugs, excessive clutter or poor lighting? Would any home modifications, such as a chair lift or walk-in shower, be helpful?
Driving: Did they drive safely? Have they been having close calls or been driving too slowly? Have they been denting the car or getting tickets or warnings? Is it time to reduce or even stop driving?
Health: Were they feeling fine, or did they report new physical complaints? Were they eating well? Was their personal hygiene acceptable? Have their medications had any negative side effects? Did they take medications as directed? Had their mood or outlook changed?
Finances: Have they been paying their bills on time? Have they had difficulty paying bills or providing for their daily needs? Have they told you where they keep their financial information, so you can access it in an emergency?
Share your concerns early—don’t wait.
If some answers to these questions raise red flags, begin a discussion with your parents at your first opportunity rather than waiting until an emergency occurs. Our Tips for Touchy Topics with Aging Parents provide you with guidance in broaching these difficult topics.
With sensitivity to their dignity, let them know of your concerns. Unless dementia indicates they can no longer live alone, assure them that any changes in their lifestyle would be their choice to make—that you merely wish to help them explore options.
Different options for different situations
The solution might be simply to make a few physical changes to their home to allow easier accessibility. Perhaps an in-home caregiver is needed for several hours a day or a weekly housekeeper. In some cases, perhaps the time has come for a discussion about a retirement home/senior living community.
If you begin to consider a retirement community in Pennsylvania or Maryland, we would be glad to meet with you about the services that Country Meadows can offer your mother or father. Our independent living retirement communities, personal care and assisted living homes, and memory support services offer personalized senior living and a rich community life that engages the body, mind and spirit.
When choosing a retirement community, feel free to visit any of our senior communities in Pennsylvania or our Maryland retirement home. Please contact us to request information or schedule a visit.
Country Meadows
