Guide To Why & When to Get Help Caring for Your Senior Parent

Author

HOVER SENIOR LIVING

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Hover Senior Living

Posted on

Dec 12, 2024

Book/Edition

Colorado - Boulder County

Caring for an aging parent can be a rewarding yet challenging responsibility. As they grow older, their needs increase, and it can become overwhelming to provide adequate support. In this guide from Hover Senior Living in Longmont, CO, we will discuss why and when it may be necessary to seek help in caring for your senior parent, focusing on options such as Longmont senior housing, assisted living, and assisted living homes.

Declining Health and Safety Concerns

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As your loved one ages, their health may deteriorate, making it difficult for you to meet their increasing care needs. If their safety is at risk due to falls, forgetfulness, or medical conditions that require specialized assistance, it may be time to consider professional care in a Longmont senior housing facility or an assisted living home.

Social Isolation

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Seniors often experience feelings of loneliness and social isolation, leading to declines in mental and emotional well-being. Moving them into a community like assisted living not only provides access to 24/7 care but also encourages social interaction with peers, organized activities, and outings, thereby improving their overall quality of life.

Caregiver Burnout

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Providing constant care for your senior parent can be physically and emotionally draining. Many caregivers experience burnout, which can negatively impact their own well-being. Getting help with caregiving responsibilities can ensure that both the caregiver and the senior parent receive the support they need.

Higher Level of Care

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As your parent’s care needs increase, they may require specialized medical attention, including assistance with medication management, physical therapy, or memory care for conditions like dementia. Assisted living facilities are equipped to provide these higher levels of care, ensuring that your loved one receives the appropriate attention and support.

Caring for a senior parent is a significant responsibility and recognizing when to seek help is crucial for their well-being, as well as your own. Consider the declining health and safety concerns, social isolation, caregiver burnout, and the need for a higher level of care as indicators that it may be time to explore Longmont senior housing, assisted living, or assisted living homes. By making this choice, you are ensuring that your parent receives the support they need to thrive in a safe and engaging environment. Contact us today to learn more.

Contact Us Now 303-772-9292

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About Dignity Care

Dignity Care is a homegrown business in Boulder.In the 1990s, Mary Kirk, a registered dietitian, began caregiving for family and relatives. Her husband, Ged, offered a companion travel service for the elderly and disabled. Together they established Dignity Care, LLC in 1997 as a home care business with just two caregivers and a home office.As demand for home care service increased, Mary recruited additional caregivers, but always with an emphasis on the compassionate, respectful, personalized care that was Dignity Cares trademark. Mary created her own approach to senior home care, unique in this area.With this dedication and passion to provide the best caregivers in the Boulder County region, Dignity Care has continued to grow and in 2009 became licensed as a Class A home care provider.  We specialize in using Certified Nursing Assistants on our teams so we can bring you the skill and experience you deserve, if you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.

In Home Care Helps Seniors with Depression

Too many seniors grapple with isolation and depression, but these are not a normal part of growing older. They are treatable medical illnesses, much like heart disease or diabetes. Depression is a serious illness affecting approximately 15 out of every 100 adults over age 65 in the United States.Seniors experiencing feelings of depression and isolation have a higher risk of hospital admissions, as well as a higher risk for being scammed. Not to mention it makes for a miserable life.So, what can you do? Helping seniors stay healthy means more than ensuring they get good physical care. Individuals living alone miss out on the stimulation of interactions with others on a regular basis. Our caregivers serve that dual purpose of providing physical care and social connection. We enjoy our clients, building a relationship with them, and sharing the highs and lows of their days. Caregivers can laugh with their clients and be an empathetic ear. We make sure our clients are getting out of the house and attending events and activities that interest them.Hiring a caregiver to help out, even for a couple of hours each week, brings conversation and spark along with the physical help. Caregivers are a good antidote for depression. If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.

Why Is Staying Hydrated So Difficult for Seniors?

Hot summer days are a good time for everyone to think about staying hydrated. For older adults the topic of hydration is a year-round discussion that never goes away. Its a serious issue for most seniors but doesnt get resolved because it needs to be addressed every day and cant be solved with a pill.Seniors have a very high risk for dehydration, which is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization after the age of 65. They have a greater risk of dehydration for many reasons, including the fact that as we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving fluids, our sense of thirst weakens, and we are less able to adjust to changes in temperature. Some medications like diuretics, sedatives, and laxatives can also cause increased fluid loss.Dehydration can cause temporary symptoms that mimic symptoms of Alzheimers. If dementia-like symptoms seem to appear suddenly, it could be dehydration which is easily curable.Symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe and include persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, confusion, lethargy, increased heart rate, sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark colored urine.  Urine should be clear to pale yellow. I tell my clients that if their urine is darker than pale yellow, they should head straight to the kitchen from the bathroom and drink a full glass of water.  Keeping a glass of water beside you all day to sip on rarely results in someone drinking enough fluids.  Its more effective to drink the entire glass, even if its a small glass.  Seniors cant rely on their sense of thirst to tell them when to drink water.  Scheduling a glass at each meal and/or after a bathroom visit, making sure to drink the full glass, is the best way to make sure youve gotten your full daily amount.If you have any questions, please call us at 303-444-4040.