Preparing for Hurricane Season: An Emergency Plan for Homebound Seniors

Identifying the point at which your elderly loved one will need help can be a gradual experience. Many times, family members see the little things changing for each member of the family; however, it isn’t always evident to them how these things all tie together as a whole. If you’ve felt like something changed about your aging loved one recently then you are not alone, and you’re definitely not crazy. Below are some common indicators that it may be time to consider in home care. Medication Management Becomes Inconsistent Trouble with managing prescription medications is one of the most obvious signs a senior has lost their ability to do things independently. It could be something as simple as you notice your mother's pill bottle seems full or empty when it shouldn't. Or maybe she misses her morning dose. Or perhaps you find out that she is taking medication at the wrong time. Also, sometimes I'll pick up an unused prescription on my way home from work. I've been keeping all of these prescriptions in a box because I'm afraid if I fill them now and then later down the road I will end up filling some again. Mobility and Fall Risk Increase Watch for (1) hesitation when using stairs; (2) leaning on furniture or walls as you walk; (3) unexplained bruises; (4) a general slowing of your movements. Falls are among the top reasons elderly people are injured. A single fall is the reason many families consider long-term care options. It may be beneficial to notice smaller indicators before such an incident occurs — for example, a loved one who avoids specific areas of a house or certain physical activities because she/he does not feel stable. The Home Starts to Show Signs of Neglect A once- tidy house full of clutter from dirty dishes (days old), spoilt food in the fridge or dirty laundry is a sign that it's becoming harder to do your day to day physical activities, even though you may not have been told this by your loved one. Change In Personal Hygiene & Grooming When people start to wear different clothes than usual, don't bathe as often as normal, or take less time to groom themselves; it may mean these things are now too much trouble to handle on their own due to pain or exhaustion. Isolation Starts to Set In Isolation begins to develop in older adults in many ways that are difficult to detect due to how slow isolation typically develops. A common way to detect if an elderly adult is becoming isolated is by observing them withdraw from social activities they once enjoyed, spend their days in solitude and seem disengaged when being conversed with on either in-person or phone calls. In addition to providing your elderly parent with daily needs such as bathing, eating and dressing etc., a caregiver will also be able to spend time with your parent and have the ability to converse with them. This type of interaction has been shown to make a positive impact on both the quality of life for your parents and their overall well-being. Cognitive Changes Become More Noticeable Occasionally, as people get older, it can be common for them to have some memory issues. But if your loved one has frequent problems remembering where he/she went (even in their own neighborhood), trouble understanding what someone is saying, having trouble keeping track of things from conversation to conversation, and/or repeating the same questions in a few minutes - these are indicators of potential need for additional support/supervision. Family Caregivers Are Reaching a Breaking Point The most obvious indicator may be about neither the elder nor the caregiver; sometimes it's about the one doing the caring for them. Whether you feel over-stretched, burned out, or resentful about the time/energy/your own well-being being spent on caregiving, those are signs that other help may be necessary. When caregivers hire home care workers, they aren’t failing as caregivers; they’re usually allowing the relationship with their loved ones to remain healthy and continue in a positive manner rather than wear down due to logistical demands and emotional fatigue. Missed Appointments or Financial Confusion A pattern of missed medical appointments, unaddressed financial responsibilities, or disorganization as to how to manage everyday finances is an indication that the responsibility of managing every aspect of their daily lives has been placed on the shoulders of the individual alone. You Do Not Need to Figure This Out by Yourself If you are recognizing many of the patterns described above in a loved one; you do not need to have all of the answers today. You simply may want to discuss potential forms of support that would assist them in either managing their daily routine with fewer hours of independent management (e.g., several hours each week) or more direct management and oversight (i.e. daily). For over 20 years Angel Care has assisted Brooklyn and NYC families navigating this very type of transition. We provide support with compassion, understanding and empathy, knowing first hand the challenges associated with making such difficult decisions. If you are experiencing some or all of the indicators above with a loved one, or if you just wish to explore your options regarding what form of care would be best suited for your family, we welcome a non-judgmental discussion of the possibilities.