Does Your Mom or Dad Need Help?

Look for "red flags" that indicate the senior may need help.

One of the biggest challenges in aging is maintaining independence. Whether you are a senior, or the family member or caregiver for a senior, it can often be a delicate balancing act on how to help your senior maintain their independence. This is often compounded by the fact that many seniors want to age in their home. Because of their fear of being “placed in a home or care center” many seniors may hide their inability to care for themselves from family members. However, it is crucial that family members are aware of the real situation when it comes to the seniors in their lives and take the appropriate steps so that both the health and the safety of the senior can be maintained. 

It is important that if you are a family member or other caregiver of a senior that you look for “red flags” that can indicate that the senior is no longer able to care for his or her self. Keep in mind that today because of a large aging population that there are many services that can help the senior stay in their home and spend their golden years where they really want to be. Knowing the signs that a senior may need some extra help is the first step. These signs can include but are not limited to:

• •Is the senior eating a nutritious and balanced diet? Many seniors begin by having difficulty cooking full meals so they will often rely on one or two easy to fix and eat items. It is important for the overall health of the senior that he or she is able to access a balanced diet. There are many different solutions for this problem. Most communities have meal delivery services for seniors that are low or even no cost. Nutritious and well balanced meals are delivered many times by other seniors who can check and see how their meal recipients are doing. There are other solutions as well which include: hiring a cook or meals at a local senior center. These options can be used as a single solution or combined to help the senior eat better.

• •Is the senior safe in their home? Falls are the number one type of accident that occurs in the homes of seniors. If you see bruises or cuts that can not be explained, you may have a loved one who is repeatedly stumbling or falling in the home. It is crucial that steps are taken to make the home as safe as possible. The home should be reviewed in order to make it as safe as possible. Non skid rugs, protective guards on furniture and handrails can help make the home safer. In addition, a monitoring system can be installed so that the senior can reach help should a fall occur. 

• • Is your senior taking care of their personal hygiene? Many seniors face a challenge in caring for their personal hygiene needs. This can be from a lack of mobility to the challenges of managing incontinence. The good news is that there are products that are specifically made for seniors which can make this much easier.

Caregiver Partnership provides a wide range of products that are specifically made to help seniors age in place. From dietary supplements to safety and mobility products their team of dedicated specialists can help you to determine what your senior needs to give them the independence they want and deserve. 

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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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