To find out what’s keeping someone from being fully independent in their home, become a detective and navigate their rooms as they would. Considering the individual’s height, weight, strength and other abilities, is their home safe for them? Also, when you visit your loved one, use each of your five senses to assess if they are all right on their own.
Touch
Remember, a strong handshake or hug is a good thing! Besides the enjoyment of the embrace, it can help reassure that their strength is still with them for other activities, like lifting wet clothes from the washer to the dryer, walking an active dog, cooking with hefty pots and pans, and more. As you mentally evaluate, keep in mind that increasing frailty can have an impact on daily living.
Sight
Use your eyeballs to check on appearance. Yes, go ahead, in this case it is okay to look someone up and down. A disheveled appearance is a tell tale sign that personal care is lacking. Are bathroom supplies running low? Is mom forgetting to shower regularly? When was the last time dad went to the barber, a once regular activity?
Taste
Follow your stomach to the kitchen and make sure that food is being eaten and nutrition is met. Among the elderly, malnutrition is a common occurrence. Help relatives prepare meals for several days, and get creative with leftovers!
Hearing
Lend an ear and listen up! Someone may have trouble pulling together sentences because of their memory, or because low hearing makes it difficult to keep up with conversation. Note whether or not communication could be improved by hiring a companion to lend an ear and a voice to family about what is happening on a daily basis.
Smell
Sometimes foul odors hit you like a brick in the face as soon as you walk into someone’s home, and it is an indicator that something is wrong. Garbage should make it to the curb, spoiled food should be tossed regularly, and, most importantly, loved ones should live without worry of making it to the bathroom okay.
Even when our emotions want to assume that our loved ones are okay, really assessing the situation with each visit will lessen the risk of a serious emergency. Call us today if you would like our caring professionals to help you determine in-home needs. You and your loved one will feel the immediate relief knowing that someone close by is around to help with safety and socialization! We can be reached at 410-571-2744.
