Often, parents may not openly communicate their need for help with care or household tasks. Many adult children become aware of this situation only when an incident occurs that jeopardizes their parents’ safety. For instance, with the onset of dementia, parents may start to forget things or may experience injuries from falls. It can be overwhelming when adult children discover that a parent can no longer care for themselves, especially since they are likely already balancing many responsibilities in their own lives.
Adult children should become knowledgeable about their parents’ current health conditions. By assessing their situation earlier, they can better plan for care options for their loved ones. Watch out for the warning signs described below.
Your parents need a caregiver if they cannot complete some or all of the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These activities are;
- Walking
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Eating
- Dressing and grooming
- Moving from one place to another, for example, from bed to chair
They may also be unable to accomplish some of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which are;
- Managing Personal Finances
- House Cleaning
- Driving
- Shopping
- Meal Preparation
- Managing Medications
- Managing Communication, such as phone or e-mail
The warning signs below are related to various types of dementia.
- Personality or behavior changes
- Withdrawal or depression
- Increasing forgetfulness
- Increasing confusion
- Difficulty remembering recent events
- Unable to concentrate
- Unable to carry out everyday tasks
- Repetitive speech
Physical signs may appear in your loved one or their surroundings.
- The house doesn’t look tidy and clean anymore
- The yard hasn’t been maintained like it used to
- Damage to the car, scratches, or dents could indicate impaired driving
- Stacked bills or unopened mail
- Urine odor could indicate incontinence
- Lack of social activity
- Low food supply
