As seniors grow older, it becomes important to be aware of how the aging process affects their daily lives. Aging causes bodily changes that have a direct impact on the health and well-being of seniors. Some of these changes are so subtle they may go unnoticed, even by the senior.
Maintaining good health is vital for seniors who want to live independently in their own homes. Unfortunately, the natural aging process, as well as certain medical conditions, can affect a senior’s ability to safely live alone. Therefore, evaluating the health of your senior loved one is critical – especially if he or she lives alone.
There are ways to make these evaluations regarding your senior loved one without hurting, offending or devaluing him or her as an individual. Comfort Keepers®, one of the world’s leading in-home care agencies, makes it easy for you by providing the following advice in using your five senses to assess your loved one’s care needs.
Sight – Take a good look at the senior’s appearance when you visit, to ensure he or she is wearing clean clothes and grooming in a usual manner. Signs that this may not be happening include wrinkled clothing, bad breath or unkempt hair and face. How about the house? Is it orderly and clean or dusty and cluttered?
Sound – The way a senior speaks may give you a clue as to his or her mental state. Does he or she speak in the manner you typically would expect? Can she or he say your name? Are you able to discuss activities, current events or future plans with your loved one? If not, there may be an underlying issue that warrants attention and that has nothing to do with the natural aging process.
Smell – Your nose can detect body odor as well as other signs throughout your loved one’s home that may signal trouble.
Taste – Tasting his or her food can help you determine if it is fresh or spoiled, and be sure to check the expiration dates on food in the refrigerator. Exploring the senior’s pantry and sorting through medications to check for expiration dates is also important in monitoring a senior’s good health.
Touch – Simply hugging or putting your arm around your loved ones can help you judge their weight and fragility. Holding hands or touching an arm helps determine skin quality.
If you find any inconsistencies or abnormalities after putting your senses to the test, it may be time to consider an alternative care plan for your loved one. This does not necessarily mean moving him or her into an assisted living facility. Many seniors are able to meet the challenge of living safely in their own homes even after some of the above warning signs become present. Detecting these signs may simply mean they need an extra hand in helping with their daily routines.
If you are unable to provide help for your loved one, check into local in-home care agencies that can help. Companies such as Comfort Keepers employ techniques designed to assist seniors in ways that make it possible for you to maintain peace of mind, while offering your senior loved one the independence of safely living at home for as long as possible.
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