Assisted Care: 5 Signs

Assisted Care : 

Assisted Care 5 Signs a Loved One May Need It

Acknowledging the Problem : 

Acknowledging the Problem Tough to acknowledge our bodies slowing down Tough to watch it happen to family members Tempting to pass it off as normal aging Best to acknowledge problem and get the assisted care needed to remain safe, independent and healthy The following is a checklist to help determine if physical or mobility problems are present

Does your family member’s skin feel soft and have a normal color? : 

Does your family member’s skin feel soft and have a normal color? Dry, cracked skin can indicate dehydration Skin should feel supple Should not appear red or irritated Look for unusual tearing or bruising Wounds heal more slowly with age – greater risk of infection Bruising can indicate balance or vision problems

Can your family member see clearly? : 

Can your family member see clearly? Vision loss can be a significant barrier to independent living May no longer be able to drive Difficult to attend appointments, shop for food Difficulty reading medications – could lead to wrong dosage Can your loved one read street signs? Labels? Newspaper? Books?

Can your family member hear you? : 

Can your family member hear you? Loss of hearing can decrease quality of life Hearing aids may be required Understand instructions, hear smoke or fire alarms Can they understand you at a normal tone of voice? Do they respond when spoken to with their back turned? Many read lips to mask problems

Is there food in the refrigerator? : 

Is there food in the refrigerator? Amount of healthy, fresh food a good indicator of nourishment and ability to complete basic tasks, i.e. cooking, grocery shopping Check that refrigerator/pantry well stocked with nutritious items Check expiration dates Check food for freshness, i.e. mold, smell Can your loved one navigate the kitchen? Handle potentially hazardous appliances?

Are medications current and being taken regularly? : 

Are medications current and being taken regularly? Mixing up, missing medications have serious health implications Note number of medications How many physicians are prescribing? Risk of taking wrong medications increases with number of doctors Check expiration dates

All Senior Homes : 

All Senior Homes If you feel your loved one may need assisted care, there are many senior care options to consider All Senior Homes is a resource for seniors and families searching for housing and care services Visit http://www.allseniorhomes.com for more information on senior care and senior housing Information in this presentation provided by senior housing writer Jaqui Tom