In fact, senior retirement communities and assisted living facilities across Central Indiana (from Carmel to Broad Ripple to Washington Township) often notice an increase in inquiries from concerned family members both during and after the holidays.
Medication:
Are they taking their medication as prescribed? Is the pillbox organized and up-to-date? If not, visits from a home health provider may be useful.
Housekeeping:
Housework and general maintenance is often the first thing to be neglected when an elderly parent begins to suffer a decline in health or mobility. Again, a senior health service that provides basic housekeeping may be helpful.
Do your loved ones have a strong support system like good neighbors and friends? If not, understand that seniors on the decline tend to isolate. Those with strong social networks are happier, healthier, and safer.
Safety Issues
Is your family member beginning to have trouble navigating their home? Are staircases, steps, and bathtubs posing a danger? What about throw rugs and strips that may be tripping dangers? Are there fire hazards in the kitchen?
Concerned family members can help alleviate some of these dangers, and a variety of age-in-place techniques (including either major or minor remodeling) can also serve to minimize threats in the household.
Nutrition
Is your loved one eating properly? Be sure and scan the refrigerator and pantries. Are they well-stocked? If not, your family member may be having difficulty getting out of their Indianapolis house and cruising down Meridian to make it to the grocery. Or, they may just flat out forget to. Home health providers may also be of assistance in this regard.
These are just a few of the points to consider if you worry that a loved one may be sacrificing safety in living independently.
As a Senior Real Estate Specialist and Certified Senior Housing Professional in Indianapolis, I’ll be happy to offer you advice, answer questions, and help you understand options if you need to consider moving a loved one from one home to another. Helping elderly parents move in Indianapolis is my specialty.
