Although the majority of older adults prefer to live by themselves to maintain their independence and remain in the environment that they are more familiar with, it may start to get dangerous as most accidents among seniors happen in their own homes.
As such, while you pay a visit to your older loved ones, it is a good time to check in with them to make sure they are living comfortably and healthy!
Here are 4 warning signs you should look out for to access how well they are doing.
1. Their home is starting to get cluttered with mess
A messy home many indicate that they have lost the physical capability to carry out the general household chores that they have been doing for many years.
Some common examples may include:
Spoiled or expired food lying around the house or refrigerator
Laundry piling up and being neglected
Stacks of dirty dishes in the sink
However, if your parents have never cared about the clutter lying around the house since the beginning, a messy home is not much of a red flag. Otherwise, it may mean that they have started to become weaker physically.
2. They are neglecting their personal hygiene
When you visit your loved one, their personal hygiene is something that you will be able to notice immediately. This may include obvious signs such as they are no longer brushing their teeth or even showering.
3. They are starting to lose weight, without a clear reason why
It may be a concern if you start to notice that your ageing parent is losing weight without any particular reason, such as exercising or dieting. While it may seem like a small matter, it could be an indication that they are not eating well or worse, it could be due to a serious health issue.
4. They are staying at home to watch tv all day
Excessive watching of television involves almost no form of movements, making it one of the most dangerous things elderly can do. With a low sedentary lifestyle of prolonged sitting, this increases their risk of developing a walking disability in the future.
Try to limit your ageing parents’ television time of no more than 2 hours a day. Instead of watching television, encourage your ageing loved ones to try out new activities to keep them active instead!
Choose to start early, before it is too late. If you begin to notice these signs when you visit your ageing loved ones, consider bringing them to the doctor for a checkup!
Have more warning signs that you think are important to take note of?
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