Do My Aging Parents Need Help?

Not many people know a person as well as their children. Additionally, no one cares about them as much as you do. Despite this, caring for your loved one can be exhausting, frighting, emotional, and frustrating for both the child and parent. As your loved ones get older, the strive to hold onto independence can prove to be at odds with the support of well-intentioned family members. Oftentimes, our parents need care and support, but simultaneously fear being cared for as well. This can result in a push and pull dynamic between aging seniors and their children. It can be beneficial to properly prepare yourself and other family members the physical and mental changes that will occur for your aging parent. 

Fortunately, there are options that you can turn to when thinking about how you can support your parents as they age. Home care may be the answer. Home care allows seniors to maintain a degree of independence whilst still receiving the help they need. Turning to home care can result in many benefits for your parents, as your loved one can remain in the comfort of their own home while receiving support from exceptional and qualified caregivers. 

Aging Parent and Daughter

Signs that your parents need help

At one point in our lives, we depended on our parents for care and support. Their role as a parent helped us develop into mature and capable adults. However, there eventually comes a time where parents are the ones in need of care and support, where this works both ways. Therefore, as we watch our parents age, there are a few signs we can look for before taking further steps and considering care options.

It is important to note that although care services are often tailored to seniors, there is no distinct ‘age’ that coincides with being eligible for home care or other care facilities. Tell-tale signs of aging can begin to be apparent as early as in one's 30’s. These signs range from vital signs such as our blood pressure and skin, to our bones and joints. Additionally, one’s digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems can be affected at various ages and stages of adulthood. At the end of the day, although we strive to stay independent and healthy for as long as possible, at some point, the stresses of aging require support and care. In saying this, we recognize that home care services are not accessible to everyone. There are steps you can take as a child of an aging senior, to help alleviate any sort of physical or mental stress they may be experiencing. Therefore, it is important that children stay attentive of their parents' physical and mental state as they age.

Provided are signs to look out for. These signs may indicate that home care services may be of benefit for their parents.  

Physical Signs 

• Cardiovascular System

  As we age, changes in our cardiovascular system occurs, resulting in our heart having to work harder as blood vessels and arteries start to stiffen. You may see that your parent gets exhausted or experiences shortness of breath daily easily by completing tasks such as walking up the stairs, or putting something away in the car. Household tasks may begin to put your parents in a state of fatigue or weakness. These are signs to be aware of as it may mean that they need more support. 

• Bones, Joints and Muscles 

In aging, also comes the weakening of our bones, joints and muscles, and they will naturally shrink in size and density. Due to this, they will become more susceptible to fracture. Similar to challenges associated with the cardiovascular system, your parent may have a hard time doing household tasks that take a toll on their bones, joints and muscles. If you see that your parent is struggling to lift, carry or put down objects around the house, this is something to take note of, and they may be in need of additional care. 

• Digestive System

The digestive system is what works hard to digest the food we eat everyday. As your parent ages, they may start to have a harder time to digest their food, experiencing symptoms such as acid reflux, constipation, and stomach sensitivity. These symptoms can go unnoticed, but should still be taken into account. Digestive issues can be serious to your parents health and lead to further health risks such as colon cancer. The digestive health of your parents can be improved by paying focus to their diet and medication. Your parents may be eating foods that don’t process well through their body. Hydration is also important in keeping their digestive system healthy. Homecare prioritizes the nutrition of their clients, in aim to keep your loved one healthy. 

Mental Signs 

Aging Senior

• Memory and Thinking Skills

The brain undergoes various changes as one ages. You may notice that your parents memory or thinking skills have declined over the years. You may also have noticed that your Mom or Dad now forgets certain names or words that should be familiar. Additionally, they may have trouble multitasking or even focusing on one single task. Memory and thinking impairments can significantly impact how your loved one acts, thinks, and feels. The decline of these cognitive capacities can create safety concerns, such as leaving bills unpaid, doors open, or stoves on. 

Despite these challenges, strategies can be implemented to promote the memory and thinking skills of your parent. This can include practicing more physical activity on a daily basis, making sure your parent stays social and keeping them mentally active through readings, word games, or taking up other hobbies. Caregivers ensure that these measures are implemented within the lives of their clients in order to sustain your loved ones memory and thinking skills.

• Depression

Depression can creep up on us at any age, and this can be regardless of our background or achievements. As your loved one ages, they face significant life changes, increasing their risk for experiencing depression. Causes of depression range in older adults. It may be due to health problems, such as disability, chronic pain, or a decline cognitively. It is important to be conscious of the fact that medical problems can cause depression in aging adults, directly or psychologically, as a reaction to their illness. Some of these illnesses include Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or dementia and Alzheimer's disease. 

Your parents may also be experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially if they live alone. This can contribute to depression, and is something to take note of. Although it is important to seek professional help when you see your loved one battle with depression, strategies can be used to lift their mood. Turning to in-home care services may benefit your parents in battling depression, especially if you are not in daily contact with them. Caregivers are not only there for physical assistance, but mental support as well. They become a companion within your loved ones life, and form meaningful connections with their clients. If you can see that your parent’s depression is caused by loneliness, they may just be in need of a familiar face living around them.

• Personality Changes

Your parent may experience a change in personality as they age. Apathy can be described as indifference. You may notice that recently, your parent embodies a sense of passivity, or a lack of enthusiasm. You may feel that they have an interest in doing anything, and lack spirit. This may be due to aging, or may be due to a combination of age-related changes. Apathy may be a sign or that your loved one suffers from dementia. Apathy is one of the most common side effects of dementia, however, if your loved one has it, they are most likely not aware of this symptom. This can be difficult for you and your family, especially if you were previously used to a more active and motivated person. Apathy can be hard to treat, however, if enough effort is made, your loved one can gain their interest and enthusiasm back.

Luckily, caregivers have the time and qualities to support your loved ones with personality changes. Sometimes your loved one may just need someone else to consistently help them start different projects and activities that they used to enjoy. With the right support, they may present more enthusiasm and spirit shortly after someone helps them get started. This can be applied to tasks or activities such as baking a cake, or going out on a walk.