As a caregiver you’re on the front lines of noticing when things are changing for your senior. She might not always tell you out loud that things are becoming difficult. You might have to start looking for clues.
Look at Your Senior with Fresh Eyes
You spend a good bit of time with your senior, most likely, so it’s easy to not see some things. Try to look at your senior with a fresh set of eyes. Has she changed some of her habits? Is she dressing differently or did she change how she does her hair? Some of these details can be a red flag that you didn’t really see before.
Peek Around the House
Your senior’s house can tell on her if you listen to it. Some of the signs might be subtle, like dust or mail are starting to collect. Or maybe there’s that one room that suddenly always has the door closed. Paying attention to some of these small details can help you to realize that there’s something going on.
Don’t Forget Cabinets and Drawers
If you’re naturally nosy you might have already peeked in a cabinet or a drawer or two. If you haven’t, now is the time. You might see something that surprises you, like that remote that your elderly family member lost a couple of weeks ago. Cabinets and drawers that are overflowing might mean that your senior could use some help decluttering so that she can find what she needs.
What’s in the Fridge?
Food matters a lot because that’s fuel for your senior’s body and brain. When you check out the fridge and the pantry, that gives you an idea what she’s eating and whether her choices are the healthiest ones for her. No one eats super healthy all the time, but if you’re noticing more junk foods and convenience foods than anything else, she might need help.
Watch How She Engages with You and with Others
Is your senior interacting with you and with others differently than she has in the past? Maybe she seems to tune out conversations more often or she doesn’t want to be around people as much. If you’re noticing big changes, there might be a reason.
When you notice that things might be different than you expected, that’s an opportunity to put a solution in place. You might need to talk to your senior and to her doctor about what you can do. It’s also a good idea to hire senior care providers. They can help her with tasks that have become difficult, leaving her to spend her energy where she most wants to.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING SENIOR CARE IN SUMMERLIN, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.