In many situations the need for care will creep up on a family. Oftentimes, family members are acting as caregivers without realizing it. As the need for care increases, it can either seem like a normal part of aging or people are just not willing to admit that the ability to live independently is no longer possible - or safe. But there are warning signs you should be looking for that will help you recognize when the time for professional long term care has arrived:
Physical Deterioration: Look for signs such as significant weight loss, balance issues and falling, loss of strength and stamina, and other losses of “Activities of Daily Living” such as ability to shower or toilet, dress, or eat independently.
Mental Deterioration: Do not blow off loss of memory or confusing names, dates and locations as just a “senior moment.” Cognitive deterioration is an important warning sign that you should be on the lookout for dementia and Alzheimer’s. These conditions can worsen quickly and can lead to many physical breakdowns and safety issues.
Lifestyle Deterioration: Is the home not being kept as neatly as in the past? Are things oddly out of place (a house plant in the fridge, pots and pans in the bathtub), or do you see signs of physical damage (the car crashing into a fence or the wall of the garage, burn marks on the kitchen wall from a flash fire)? long term care is both a matter healthcare and safety.
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