Signs that your parents can’t live alone

Caregiver Article: Signs Your Parents Can’t Live Alone

We have included many signs that your parents or loved ones cannot live alone, read more below.

Life conditions – One of the first and most obvious signs that your parents are not coping well at home on their own is the state of your home. Your parents may once have been very clean and organized, but now the inside of your home is messy and disorganized. There may be dirty clothes everywhere, dirty dishes piled up in the sink or on counters, moldy food in the refrigerator, or no food at all. These are all warning signs that there are problems at home that you should also pay close attention to. It may mean bringing someone to help with house cleaning and some household chores. Or it could be a sign that they may need to be transferred to a care facility to have their meals provided and their accommodation taken care of.

behavioral signs – A common sign of problems with struggling single parents is over- or under-medication. Your father may have started drinking alcohol or using drugs, something he normally wouldn’t do. It can be important to address any unusual behavior before it becomes a bigger problem.

physical signs – You may notice that your parent has gained a significant amount of weight or lost weight. If so, they may not be eating properly, or at all. Be careful if you notice any changes in weight because this could be a symptom of poor nutrition, lack of appetite, or an unhealthy diet.

Your parent may begin to show signs of noticeable bruises, sores, or cuts on the face, head, or body from a fall. They may not remember how they received these marks or they may be covering for a spouse who may be physically abusing them. Learning more about these bruises, cuts, or sores is critical to ensuring your loved one has a safe quality of life.

financial signs – If you are the POA (power of attorney) of your parents and you have noticed that your bank account has been emptied of all your money or large amounts are missing, that could be a sign that they are not coping well at home. and with your finances. Your credit cards may be depleted with odd purchases arriving at the house. Spam is perhaps starting to accumulate in the house and an increasing number of charities have been sending out information seeking donations. This could be a sign that your parents may be donating to all the charities they know of. A big red flag could be an increasing number of strangers showing up at the door asking for money, whether legitimately or not.

You may also notice that unpaid bills or utilities have been cut off due to missing or unpaid bills. Or collectors have been calling, which may cause your loved one stress because they don’t understand why they’re getting these calls.

If you decide to move your parents

If you decide to move your parents into your home or into a relative’s home, keep in mind that this is a life-changing decision for you and your parents with Alzheimer’s disease. Not only is it a big transition for everyone involved, but for parents it can add more confusion to their already confused life. It is critical that this situation not work out for one reason or another that you have a backup plan. Creating a backup plan before the move will help with the move and also reduce stress on the parents. When I suggest a backup plan, I mean having another place for that parent to move to as well, whether it’s a sibling home or a care facility.

Sometimes when a parent moves in with us, we may not have realized before that they have more needs than we first thought. It is not a sign of failure if his care becomes too much for you to handle at home. It is a sign of strength to recognize this and not just ask for help, but seek help in your community, such as your local health care center or through your family doctor, who can guide you in navigating our complex health care system. Integrated Home Health, which can be accessed by contacting Interior Health for more information.

• Talk to your family first
• Explain the situation to your children.
• talking to your partner
• Consider your relationship with your father
• Work schedule and activities
• Increased living expenses
• Renewals
• Create a backup plan

The “talk” with your father

Talking with your parents means having a discussion with your parents about moving them with you or with another family member. It is important to remember these tips when having a conversation with anyone with Alzheimer’s disease:

• Keep the conversation positive and brief.
• Don’t yell or argue because this makes your parents stressed and with Alzheimer’s, you need to reduce their stress and not increase it.
• Discuss the benefits of moving into the family home.
• Only make promises you can keep. You need to build trust with this parent.
• Include your parents in planning this move, but if you notice your parents getting nervous or stressed during this conversation, break the planning into small tasks so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
• If your father has a pet at home, try to accommodate him by bringing him into your home. Pets are a great comfort.
• Get input from your parents and incorporate what he or she wants into the planning.
• Reassure the person that you will always be there for him or her.
• Don’t focus on negative issues or past conflicts. It is about here and now.
• Focus on current problems.
• Never, ever speak ill of your parents. Treat them with respect and maintain their dignity.

List the assistance of your family doctor

Contact a local therapist or counselor.

Contact the Alzheimer’s Society

Health Care and Power of Attorney Guidelines