While visiting your aging parents here are a few things you should look for to check on them and make sure that they are able to take care of themselves.
A great Christms gift Idea for your loved one ->
Emergency Pendants ~ 2010 Christmas Gift
1) Appearance
Look at how they are dressed. Are they looking clean and neat? If your mom who always wears ironed clothes is looking all frazzled and worn down, it is a good indicator that all is not well.
2) Medicines
Check if your mom has been taking her medicines regularly. Look to see for expired prescriptions. Ask her how much and when she has been having the medication. We do not want her over medicated and definitely want to know how alert she is to her medicines and schedule.
3) Home Management
Are they able to manage the house? Is everything net and tidy as before? Is the trash just piling up? When we visited our in-laws we were aghast to find that most rooms had cobwebs. The house looked straight out of a horror movie. Digging deeper we realized my mother – in law was not able to cope up with the house, her own health and Father in law’s health. We suggested getting help and eventually they did get part time help.
4) Social Life
Check whether they have been going out regularly. When I visited my parents I was shocked that they no longer went out as they used to. It was so uncommon for my dad to stay put at home. He had to go out every weekend at the minimum. Slowly we came up with options which would involve their going out and meeting people.
5) Personal finances
My dad was always secretive about his finances. Till date I have no clue on his various investments and payments. When I saw a pile of unaddressed bills and some credit card statements which were overdue, bells started ringing rather loudly in my head. This was so not like him. You know your parents more than anyone else. Evern if it might look like being inquisitive, it is time you asked a few questions and made sure they were making wise financial decisions.
Aging parents are a blessing, atleast for me. My kids love them, because they have all the time in the world which my husband and me do not have for them. We are always busy. Sit down withyour dad and mom and make things happen. Discuss difficult issues like your thoughts about senior care, health care, assisted living. It is better now than later.
If you are a senior living alone or know someone, then you might consider the opion of having senior medical alerts.
Senior Medical Alarms consist of a 2-way voice communicator and a medical alert pendant. Visit http://www.myalarmcare.com to learn more
