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Decreased
attention to personal hygiene. Fear of falling while in the
bath tub or shower can lead to a lack of bathing. If you notice
your parent is repeatedly wearing the same clothing, doing
laundry may have become physically challenging. |
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Increased
isolation. Declining invitations to go out, refusing to see
family and friends and a general loss of interest in activities
may be signs the aging parent needs assistance. Repeated phone
calls at odd hours may be a sign of memory loss, a cry for
help and a sign of depression or isolation.
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Change
in housekeeping habits. A cluttered and unkempt house can
be especially troubling when the parent has always been neat
and orderly. |
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Change
in bill management and financial trouble. If mail and bills
are left to pile up, the simple act of opening and filing
mail may have become overwhelming. This can lead to unpaid
bills if managing a checking account has become too much for
the parent to handle.
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Change
in sleep patterns. Episodes of narcolepsy or, conversely,
sleeping the majority of the time, can be warning signs.
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Change
in eating patterns. Significant weight loss or gain can be
signs an aging parent is suffering nutritionally – eating
just enough to get by or eating lots of high-in-fat food that
is easy or fast to prepare. Food in the refrigerator that
is uneaten or spoiled may show that shopping, cooking and
cleaning have become too much trouble. |
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Increased
forgetfulness, repeating self, confusion and crying. Forgetting
to take medication is a sign of short-term memory loss or
depression that isn’t just a quality of life issue,
but a real risk factor. A smaller example of a sign of memory
loss can be scorching on the bottom of pots and pans. This
can be a dangerous indication that a parent is forgetting
about pots left on the stove, causing a fire hazard and threatening
both the individual’s and the surrounding neighbors’
safety. Missed doctor appointments may simply be a product
of not having transportation, but not knowing how to access
ride options can be a sign of a larger issue like memory loss. |
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Onset of
combativeness or excessive aggressive behavior. Inappropriate
behavior and speech in everyday situations or when questioned
about memory lapses can be an indication of needing assistance. |
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Change
in physical status and ability. Incontinence, unsteady gait,
increased falling and vision problems are all signs an aging
parent may need help. |
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Thoughts
of suicide, preoccupation with death and signs of depression.
A frequent problem for many older people who feel isolated
and alone like a prisoner in their own homes, depression causes
marked changes in behavior and routine. Feelings of hopelessness
and despair, lack of interest in once pleasurable activities,
crying, listlessness and not wanting to get dressed can all
be indications of a problem. |