reminiscing
Now that the holiday season is in the rearview mirror and your latest visit with your aging parent or relative is fresh in your mind, you may have become concerned about some of the changes in your loved one you witnessed during your visit. If you don’t regularly see your aging parent, changes in their physical appearance and mental health are often more noticeable when you do visit them. These changes can sometimes be alarming, but there are steps you can take to ensure that your loved one can remain healthy, safe and content as they age in place.
Understanding what some of these changes mean and developing a plan to address them can ensure that your loved one has a fulfilling life in 2025.
Senior social isolation is one of the biggest challenges a senior who is aging in place can experience. Because of physical limitations, they may not be able to get out as much as they did when they were younger. Often, they may also not feel like participating in activities they once enjoyed.But is your aging parent simply slowing down or are they experiencing loneliness or depression?
Some symptoms of social isolation include:
- Changes in eating habits. Loneliness can cause depression, and depression can produce a change in diet. If your senior parent skips meals or refuses to eat, they may be experiencing social isolation.
- Lack of interest in preferred activities. During your visit, if your parent turned down invitations and avoided hobbies they once enjoyed, he or she may be suffering from depression or loneliness. While it’s normal for seniors to slow their activity levels, they should not be avoiding them all together.
- Fatigue. If your parent complained of fatigue or other problems such as headaches or mobility issues during your visit, there may be cause for concern. Isolation can sometimes manifest itself with physical symptoms.
- Becoming overwhelmed with simple tasks. Another sign that your parent may be experiencing loneliness or depression can manifest as a sense of frustration. If they became overwhelmed by simple tasks like paying bills or tidying the house, they could be suffering from symptoms of isolation.
Helping your aging parent stay active can sometimes be difficult, especially if you do not live nearby. That’s why it’s important to reach out to community organizations located near your loved one. Organizations like their county’s Council on Aging can help you find resources your parent can use locally.
Encourage your loved one to volunteer for a nonprofit organization, hire a nonmedical assistant to help with housework or shopping and encourage your parent to find community programs that gets him or her out of the house and in contact with an extended group of new friends and assistants.
During your visit over the holidays, you may have also noticed your loved one struggling to live their daily lives with ease. Not only can these obstacles create frustration for your aging parent, some of these hindrances can be potential safety hazards.Many of these safety concerns can be avoided with minor adjustments, so it’s a good idea to create a home safety checklist with your aging loved one’s well-being in mind.
One of the biggest safety concerns with a parent who is aging in place is fall prevention. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 36 million falls are reported by older adults, resulting in 32,000 deaths a year.
The simple act of installing grab bars in your loved one’s bathroom, bedroom and even kitchen can help them avoid becoming one of those statistics.
Other ways you can improve the safety of your loved one include:
- Removing or taping down area rugs to prevent tripping. Removing obstacles from the floor ensures your aging parent can maneuver in their home unimpeded.
- Adding more light around the home. As we age, we can experience changes to our vision that make it harder to see. By installing bulbs with higher wattages or adding light to dimmer areas in the home, we can make it easier for our loved ones to see.
- Invest in a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can be programmed to your loved one’s preferred temperature range and avoids fluctuations. Many smart thermostats can also be programmed from a smartphone, so you can monitor your loved one’s home.
- Provide easy seating. As we age, our joints can become stiffer, and we may need to sit more often. Adding shower chairs or a chair near the stove can provide your loved one with a seating option so they don’t get too fatigued.
In addition to these simple safeguards, you should also make sure that your loved one has working fire and carbon monoxide alarms, that the water heater is not set higher than 120 degrees and they can easily access emergency contact information. You can also make use of smart home technology to help facilitate daily living.
For most of our lives, our parents have been in a position of authority. So, when it comes time to talk to your aging parent about issues surrounding their well-being and safety, we may feel intimidated by reversing the roles.
Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with your loved one about next steps should your parent reach the point where aging in place is no longer safe. If you have parents who are more than 55 years old, you should have discussions with them about estate planning, living wills, medical powers of attorney and what to do when they can no longer take care of themselves.
Try to introduce these sensitive topics when your parents are comfortable and relaxed. Do your homework beforehand so you can answer any of their concerns and involve other family members or friends who may be affected by these decisions.
For most people, aging in place is the preferred option as we reach our elder years. With a little planning, you can ensure that your older parent is able to remain happy at home and avoid safety concerns. Many parents find that if their children help them plan for their future, they will be able to relax and live their lives to the fullest.