Things to Look For When Visiting Your Parents in Florida Over The ...

?

?

Visiting Your Parents in Florida Over the Holidays

Here in South Florida, we find a lot of family members come down to our warm sunshine to visit their aging parents for the holidays. Boca Home Care Services knows that many adult children will find some changes in their mother or father. Learn about so the things you ought to look out for and we can help you find solutions.

?

In addition to having a good time visiting your folks, this is an opportunity to evaluate or assess their well being. Take a look at how they manage their hygeine, daily household chores, finances and medical conditions. If possible, address their ideas? for the future, should they not be able to remain where they are, or if there was, heaven forbid, a health emergency or other crisis.?Hopefully your parents are doing just fine, but if not, a plan needs to be put together to strengthen their ability to mange on their own ? safely.

?

Things to?take note of?when visiting your elderly parents:

* weight loss ? this goes directly to nutrition and possible health issues.

* forgetfulness or repetition ? is there a noticeable change from your last visit?

* does your parent seem to understand their medications and takes them as prescribed? Or do you get the feeling they do not have a good command of their prescribed medications ? what is their system? A pill box?

* Are they keeping up with their mail? Are bills paid on time? Are you finding ?late notices??

* Do they appear well groomed and wearing clean clothes or is there a change?

* Do they seem uniterested in activities they used to enjoy?

* Have they pulled back from seeing their friends and going out?

* How do they manage shopping, cooking, driving, laundry? How is their balance? Have they fallen in last 6 months?

* How is their driving? Vision? Reflexes behind the wheel?

* Have they been keeping their medical and social appointments?

* Is their demeanor different? Are they argumentative or seem depressed or anxious?

* Has something in their routine or surroundings changed recently? Loss of?a friend, favorite restaurant closed, a new medication?

* Is your gut telling you something?

IF you notice any of these things or real changes, then it may be time to get professional help in terms of an evaluation ? neurological or other.? Something is going on. What your are seeing are the symptoms.

If your family member is having physcial problems or cognitive difficulties in taking care of themselves and their home, then it is time to bring in some assistance.

Following a family discussion, confirmation from a doctor or from their friends, it is time to take?action to help your parent remain safe and as independent as possible in their home ? or whatever plan you devise.

The quickest and all encompassing solution is to hire in-home care. A caregiver/aide can assist with personal care,?help with ?household chores, provide companionship, transportation and better nutrition by accompanying your loved one shopping and aiding with cooking.? You?d be suprised to learn how much nutrition has to do with your parent?s physical and cognitive health.

Perhaps adding in some physical therapy will improve their balance, strength and gait ? all keys to fall prevention.

If one parent is a primary caregiver to the other, after a time, they will need respite care -? a break to recharge and share some of their caregiving responsibility.

We recommend you take note of the changes you observe, discuss with siblings and your parents in a practical, non-alarmist manner and consult with their primary physician.

It is difficult to witness your parent in some type of health decline. Many things can be done to keep them safe and with their ususal quality of life. Safety and care are primary concerns. You may wish to consult also with a Geriatric Care Manager to help you broach these subjects and find sensible solutions with a Care Plan.

?

?

?

Related posts:

1. Home For the Holidays With Elderly Parents ? Don?t Be a Turkey
2. CounterIntuitive But True: You Can Gain Independece With Home Care
3. Parents Not Onboard With Your Home Care Plan for Them?

ADLS, Aging, Elderly at Home, elderly parents, fall prevention, Health, home care, Safety, warning signs

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Source: http://www.bocahomecareservices.com/blog/visiting-parents-holidays/

ryan leaf luke kuechly brad miller chandler jones peyton hillis fletcher cox charlotte bobcats