How to Tell Your Senior’s Living Situation Doesn’t Work for Her Anymore
Once your senior’s living situation no longer works for her, you might already have some suggestions for her. But if she’s not ready to move just yet and she still isn’t okay on her own, you may need to make other changes.
Here are some of the signs that you at least need to talk with her.
Her Safety Is Compromised
Your elder’s safety is one of the biggest issues to track for her. Little issues can quickly turn into larger ones, particularly if she’s unable to keep up with home maintenance the way that she used to. Clutter, worn flooring, and wobbly handrails are all huge concerns. Other things that you might not think about, such as raising the toilet seat, could be a factor in helping her to be safer at home.
She’s Not Taking Care of Herself
She’s spent decades taking great care of herself, but lately your senior looks or acts different. She could be depressed or she could be experiencing physical constraints that keep her from caring for herself the way that she should be. The first step might be talking to your senior openly and lovingly about why she’s experiencing the issues she’s experiencing. She may simply need more help because mobility challenges are keeping her from self-care. Until you ask, you may be in the dark.
Her Health Problems Are Worsening
Chronic health problems rarely get better. The vast majority of them simply get worse over time. In the past, she may have had a handle on those health issues and how they affect her. But as other issues crop up, they may make life difficult to manage. Having some extra help can be exactly what she needs in order to deal with these new challenges.
She Doesn’t Want to Be There Alone Anymore
It’s also possible that your senior isn’t comfortable living by herself anymore. Even if she’s campaigned for her lifestyle in the past, she may feel more isolated and alone than she did before. Being on her own too much can contribute to feelings of depression and might even cause her health to decline more quickly. Ensuring she’s got companionship, either from you or from others, can help greatly.
Your elderly family member might have fought to stay where she is for quite a long time now. But if she’s experiencing any of these situations, it’s definitely time to explore other options. One of the easiest options is to match her with elder care providers who can alleviate these and other concerns.
