Are your elderly parents really safe living by themselves?

Are your parents really safe living by themselves?

Your elderly parents are living by themselves, but the question is how safe are they? In rare circumstances, they might tell you they need help, but most times it is based on your observation you identify the need for in-home care.

At 91, Mary still lives alone and wants to remain independent though, although her frailness impedes, Mary, prevails even with the accidents around the home.

Independence is one attribute we were born with, and we never want to depart from it. Some people say; it’s a state of denial when an older person needs help and refuses; some people argue it’s pride and more pride than denial.

Let us examine both:

Pride
Age has caught up with you, and the things you are accustomed to doing you can no longer do for yourself, you know this is happening, but you fear losing your independence because of your pride and the thought of someone invading your privacy and the territory you have created called home. Can I get naked in front of a caregiver to take a bath and allow the caregiver to dress me, much less go to the bathroom with assistance one might wonder?

Denial
Mr. Charles has been the breadwinner of the family, and the active decision-maker of the family. The aches of aging and memory loss have come to visit him. He no longer remembers to take his medication and even gets lost for hours when he goes to the grocery store. In a conversation, his son told him he notices the changes, and he openly declares it untrue. Could this be because of the memory that he forgets, so he denies it?

Let’s go a little further to:

The Loss of self-pride
My experience in caring for frail older adults goes way back to 1987. I have seen people who have lost self-pride in their appearance due to depression, age, and memory loss.
Betty a vivacious and fashion statement woman who had a handbag and shoes matching every outfit has retired now 20 years. Her husband died four years after they retire and she is all by herself, the kids are a thousand miles away because they have a family too. She no longer has the zeal or the least care to coordinate and even forgets to take a shower. Indeed not the Betty, anyone, knew.

These unexpected difficulties of becoming frail as we get older pop up in our lives, and we are faced with critical decisions. Whether Denial or Pride, in this part of life we have to educate ourselves or help our parents to understand that help is available to make their life easier. After we have examined all the facts our parents are facing; we then asked ourselves: are Mom and dad really safe at home by themselves?

One of the best ways to find this out is by paying your parents a visit or keenly listening for changes in phone conversations; try to find out how well they are doing by themselves.
1. Are there signs of burned pots
2. Do they forget important dates and appointments?
3. Do they forget to pay their bills?
4. Are they well groomed?
5. Are they prone to falls?
6. Can they still make meals on their own?
7. Are they safe in the shower by themselves?
8. Can your parents still drive?
9. When was the last time they visited a doctor?

10. Are the phone conversations off?

Beverly Sills says: In youth, we run into difficulties, and in old age difficulties run into us.

When you are faced with those difficulties, you need a reliable, experienced service you can trust and that is: Certified Home Care of Georgia… 770 877 2368

We are a home care provider dedicated to helping people live in their homes for as long as they want with great help. We have never missed coverage and we are the Masters of delivering Quality Customized Care. We believe it’s our customer’s home and things are done our customer’s way.
Written by: Judine Lynch