As your parents get older, how can you be sure theyre taking care of themselves and staying healthy?
When you visit your parents, start by considering these questions:
1. Are your parents able to take care of themselves?
Pay attention to your parents appearance. Failure to keep up with daily routines, such as bathing and brushing teeth, could indicate dementia, depression or physical impairments.
Also pay attention to your parents home: Are the lights working? Is it tidy? Is the garden overgrown?
Any changes in the way your parents do things around the house could provide clues to their health.
For example, scorched pots could mean your parents are forgetting about food cooking on the stove.
Issues such as failing to pay bills, having problems shopping and neglecting housework also might be signs of depression, dementia or other concerns.
2. Are your parents experiencing memory loss?
Everyone forgets things from time to time. Memory problems are a fairly common part of ageing, and sometimes, medication side effects or underlying conditions contribute to memory loss.
Theres a difference though, between normal changes in memory and the type of memory loss that makes it hard to do everyday things such as driving and shopping.
Signs of this type of memory loss might include:
3. Are your parents safe in their home?
Take a look around your parents home, keeping an eye out for any red flags.
Do your parents have difficulty navigating a narrow stairway? Has either parent fallen recently?
Are they able to read directions on medication containers? When asked, can your parents explain how they set up or take their medications?
4. Are your parents safe on the road?
Driving can be challenging for older adults.
If your parents become confused while driving or youre concerned about their ability to drive safely especially if they have experienced getting a summons or an accident it might be time to stop driving.
If you are concerned about your parents driving ability, especially if they have been in an accident, it might be time to ask them to stop driving. Photos: Filepic
5. Have your parents lost weight?
Losing weight without trying could be a sign that somethings wrong.
Weight loss could be related to many factors, including:
6. Are your parents in good spirits?
Note your parents moods and ask how theyre feeling.
A drastically different mood or outlook could be a sign of depression or other health concerns.
7. Are your parents still social?
Talk to your parents about their activities.
Are they connecting with friends? Have they maintained interest in hobbies and other daily activities?
Are they involved in organisations, clubs or faith-based communities?
If a parent gives up on being with others, it could be a sign of a problem.
8. Are your parents able to get around?
Pay attention to how your parents walk. Are they reluctant or unable to walk usual distances?
Have they fallen recently? Would a cane or walker help?
Issues such as muscle weakness and joint pain can make it difficult to move around as well.
If your parents are unsteady on their feet, they might be at risk of falling a major cause of disability among older adults.
An untidy or neglected backyard or garden might indicate that your parents are having trouble living on their own.
Taking action
There are many steps you can take to ensure your parents health and well-being, even if you dont live nearby. Try to:
Talk to your parents. Your concern might motivate them to see a doctor or make other changes.
Consider including other people who care about your parents in the conversation, such as their close friends.
If youre worried about a parents weight loss, depressed mood, memory loss, or other signs and symptoms, encourage your parent to schedule a doctors visit.
You might offer to schedule the visit and/or to accompany your parent to a healthcare provider or to find someone else to attend the visit.
Ask about follow-up visits as well.
Point out any potential safety issues to your parents, then make a plan to address the problems.
For example, a higher toilet seat or handrails in the bathroom might help prevent falls.
If your parents are no longer able to drive safely, suggest other transportation options, such as taking the bus, using a car or van service, or hiring a driver.
You could hire someone to clean the house and run errands, but discuss this with your loved one first.
A domestic helper could help with daily activities, such as bathing and cooking, while a nurse could help with medically-related issues.
If remaining at home is too challenging, you might suggest them moving to an assisted living facility.
Sometimes parents wont admit they cant do something on their own and others dont realise they need help.
Thats where you come in. Make sure your parents understand the problem and your proposed solution.
Remind your parents that you care about them and that you want to help promote their health and well-being, both today and in the years to come. Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service
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Worried about your ageing parents? Here are 8 health signs to look out for - The Star Online
