Did you know that 27% of adults aged 60 and older are more likely to live alone in the United States instead of living with their families? This is the highest rate of senior citizens living alone in the world.
Nevertheless, elderly people shouldn’t live alone, even when they seem capable of taking care of themselves. Elderly adults can suffer from memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, and other conditions that will make life difficult for them.
How do you know if it’s time to provide extra care and attention? Here are several signs of self-neglect that indicate you need to consider assisted living or at-home nursing care:
1. Not Taking Medications
There’s no denying that as people get older, they’ll begin to get weaker and sicker. The body simply can’t keep up as it ages, even with a healthy diet and exercise.
For this reason, a lot of elderly people take medications. Some take medicine for diabetes, their heart, or other concerns.
Unfortunately, aging also leads to memory loss. They might forget to take their medication on time. Others simply refuse to take medication, either because they don’t believe they need it or because they don’t trust medicine.
This is why a senior living community helps. Trained professionals can help remind seniors to take their medicine and to do it right.
2. Poor Hygiene
Another sign of self-neglect, which indicates the need for nursing care or assisted living, is poor hygiene. A lot of adults don’t intend to ignore basic hygiene needs. They simply lack proper memory care to recall whether or not they did what they have to finish.
Yes, this means some seniors won’t take a bath for days simply because they don’t remember if they did or not. Some might remember but lack the motor skills to get it done. Someone might not be able to clean themselves after using the bathroom due to weak hips or back.
3. Dehydration and Weight Loss
Look for dry lips, lack of flowing tears, and a dry nose. These are all signs of dehydration and starvation. You should also stay on the lookout for sudden weight loss.
These are important signs to monitor because they indicate that the person isn’t eating or hydrating regularly. If you don’t know how to care for aging parents, it’s easy to assume they’re simply losing weight because they’re getting older.
Deal With These Signs of Self-Neglect Today
Do you notice these signs of self-neglect among your parents or grandparents? If you do, it’s time to consider special care, such as assisted living or at-home care. These signs of self-neglect indicate bigger concerns, such as dementia.
Of course, you should consider reading more of our health and fitness guides for more tips. We also have posts discussing family, business, and entertainment. Feel free to dig in and discover all the lists and guides you need!
