Telltale signs that an elderly loved one needs help are not always obvious in the beginning. Most people don’t realize a loved one needs help until the occurrence of an incident that jeopardizes the individual’s health and well-being. Below are some behavioral patterns that indicate a potential problem that requires your immediate attention.
- Your loved one starts neglecting his or her personal hygiene, or he or she begins wearing the same clothes day after day. This is a sign that bathing and laundry duties may have become physically difficult.
- The appearance of bruises that your loved one tries to hide. This indicates a possible balance or mobility issue that may have caused your loved one to fall or experience some other mishaps when you weren’t around.
- Their house and yard is not as clean and well-kept as usual.
- Your loved one has become forgetful, possibly from memory loss.
- Displays of inappropriate or strange behavior. For example, your loved decides to go outside in wintry weather wearing clothing that’s more appropriate for warmer temperatures. This is possible sign of confusion.
- Depression, which is common in seniors who are left alone most of time and may start to feel isolated.
- Your loved one appears to be losing weight. There’s very little or no food in the refrigerator or it’s filled with spoiled food. This is a sign that he or she is not eating properly, possibly because cooking and shopping is difficult.
If you observe any of these behaviors in your loved one, it may be time to talk to them about assisted living.
