How To Tell If Your Parent Is In Need Of A Caregiver?

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Most likely your parents will not tell you that they need help with care needs or around the house. Most adult kids find out about this reality when something happens which can threaten the safety of their parents. For example with the onset of dementia, they may become forgetful or suffer an injury due to fall. If the adult kids find out about a parent not being able to take care of him/herself, it may be too much for them to handle since they already may be juggling many things in their own lives.

Adult kids should become knowledgeable about the current health condition of their parents. By assessing their situation earlier, they can better plan about care options for their loved ones. Keep an eye out for the warning signs described below.

Your parents need a caregiver if they are unable to complete some or all of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). These activities are;

  • Walking
  • Bathing
  • Toileting
  • Eating
  • Dressing and grooming
  • Moving from one place to another for example, bed to chair
parent in need of a caregiver

They may also be unable to accomplish some of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s) which are;

  • Managing Personal Finances
  • House Cleaning
  • Driving
  • Shopping
  • Meal Preparation
  • Managing Medications
  • Managing Communication, such as phone or e-mail

Below warning signs are related to various types of dementia’s.

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 in their surroundings.

  • The house doesn’t look tidy and clean any more
  • 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