Are You Noticing the Signs?

Posted on

Jan 25, 2016

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You go to visit mom or dad (or both) at their home, as you have done countless times before. The changes may be so subtle or come on so slowly you may not immediately notice the signs, but today something you see causes you to have concerns. Perhaps your parent or loved one is not engaging in activities or hobbies which once brought such pleasure. You could see a pile of unopened bills on the counter. You may even notice that the quality or amount of food in the house is not up to par anymore, or that mom or dad is increasingly disheveled and confused.
These may be indications that mom or dad need help.
It is not uncommon for an adult child to serve as a caregiver to a parent. Sometimes this responsibility grows beyond that caregivers abilities or the time they can dedicate to that care. As a caregiver, if you have begun to wonder if the commitment is exceeding you, look to yourself as a guide. Is the time required to properly care for your loved one interfering with your job, your personal relationships, and perhaps even your health? Many experience caregivers guilt, but one must rise above the guilt and start to consider alternatives. It is ok to seek out help!
Many times the decision to move a family member to Assisted Living has been born of a crisis or medical emergency. However, if you begin to consider options before crisis strikes, an informed decision made with plenty of time to act can make a world of difference.
There are senior care advisors out there who specialize in assisting families find the best care for their love one when living at home is no longer a viable option. There are many considerations to take into account during this time, and an advisor can help navigate you through the process. Also, there are local government resources in the community whose primary focus is to assist seniors and their families get the assistance they need.
The best thing that you can for your loved one is to equip yourself with the support and knowledge to make the best decision possible, and start to look for that help as soon as you begin to notice the signs.

Editors Note: This article was written by Rami Stoner. Rami is the Owner & Senior Care Advisor for Care Patrol of Pueblo and may be reached at 719-433-1096 or by email at ramis@carepatrol.com

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