Moving to senior living is a big decision that most people put off as long as they can. Often, it takes a major health event or series of accidents before seniors and their loved ones explore senior living.
Sadly, when health and abilities are compromised, choosing senior living can feel like a forced decision instead of a new chapter. We always encourage families to help their loved ones explore senior living services sooner, but sometimes, it’s hard to know if they’re struggling.
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If your loved one is beginning to show signs that something has changed or you’re concerned that they’re unsafe at home, it’s important to find out why. Visiting their home can offer valuable insight.
After working with families over the past three decades, we’ve developed the helpful list below to serve as thinking points. If your family member hits a few of these, it may not indicate it’s time for them to move, but perhaps it lets you know they need more help to be safe.
Kitchen/Dining Room:
- Appliances: Ensure essential kitchen appliances are in working order.
- Cleanliness: Inspect dishes, utensils, and surfaces for cleanliness.
- Clutter: Is the dining table clear or cluttered with items like mail?
- Diet Changes: Observe if meals are repetitive or significantly different from their usual habits.
- Food Freshness: Check if the food in the fridge and cupboards is fresh or expired.
- Hydration: Check for signs they’re drinking water, like used glasses or bottled beverages.
- Organization: Notice if mail is piling up or bills are left unmanaged.
- Overstocking: Look for excessive quantities of one item, which might signal forgetfulness.
- Unusual Storage: Are there any non-food items (like misplaced car keys or combs) in cupboards?
Living Room:
- Cleanliness: Assess if the living room appears tidy or if its condition has noticeably declined.
- Clutter Around Seating Areas: Look for stacks or excess items near their favorite chair, which may suggest limited mobility.
- Loose Pills: Check furniture and the floor for misplaced medications.
Bathroom:
- Accessibility: Ensure the bathroom is easy to access and navigate safely.
- Cleanliness: Check if the bathroom has been cleaned recently or shows signs of neglect.
- Hygiene Supplies: Verify an adequate supply of essentials like soap and toothpaste, replacing empty products.
- Shower/Tub Usage: Look for signs that the shower or tub is used regularly.
Laundry Area/Linens:
- Laundry Habits: Check if laundry is being done regularly.
- Cleanliness: Inspect the “clean” laundry pile to ensure it’s truly clean.
- Supplies: Verify if laundry detergent is available and being used.
Bedroom:
- Bed Linens: Ensure the bed linens are on the bed and appear clean.
- Bedroom Clutter: Check for unusual items like plates, bowls, or food in the bedroom, which could suggest a sedentary lifestyle or possible depression.
- Sleeping Habits: Look for piles of blankets on the couch or near a favorite chair, which could indicate trouble sleeping. Discuss if they’re experiencing pain or difficulty breathing while lying down.
Garage/Mud Room:
- Signs of Leaving Home: Look for items like coats or shoes in their usual place, indicating they’re leaving home regularly.
- Vehicle Condition: Check if their vehicle is in working order and free from damage.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Ensure the car has enough gas, and the oil has been changed as needed.
- Trash and Recycling: Watch for garbage bags or recyclables piling up.
Medications:
- Diabetes Monitoring: If they have diabetes, review their blood sugar log to confirm it’s being regularly updated.
- Medication Storage: While medications can be stored anywhere, check pill bottles or planners for organization.
- Medication Supply: Check pill bottles for expiration dates and adequate supply.
- Unused Medications: Look for unused medications in the planner or storage.
Miscellaneous Health & Safety:
- Calendar Check: Ensure the calendar is on the correct month.
- Clock Accuracy: Verify clocks are set to the correct time.
- Clothing: Observe if they’re appropriately dressed for the weather.
- Conversation Patterns: Pay attention to whether they repeat themselves often or their facial expressions align with what they say.
- Eyeglasses: If they wear glasses, check if they’re clean and in good condition.
- Gait and Mobility: Notice any changes in walking speed or how they move.
- Hazards: Identify potential trip hazards like throw rugs that could cause accidents.
- Home Condition: Look for signs of home damage, like broken sheetrock, which could suggest a prior fall.
- Hygiene: Assess their overall hygiene to ensure proper self-care.
- Lighting: Check for working lightbulbs in key areas like the kitchen, hallways, and entryways.
- Mood and Behavior: Look for signs of mood swings, paranoia, or memory problems.
- Pain Indicators: Watch for signs of pain, like wincing, when they move or stand.
- Phone: Check if their voicemail is full, which could indicate a missing charging cord for their phone or other issue.
- Recent Doctor Visits: Ensure they’ve recently seen their doctor, dentist, or other healthcare providers for regular checkups.
- Social Engagement: Check if they’re maintaining contact with friends and family or withdrawing socially.
- Support When Standing: See if they rely on the table or other objects to get up from a chair.
- Weight Changes: Monitor any significant weight loss or gain.
Next Steps
Be sure that your loved one consults with their medical provider to understand the reasons behind their changes and ask if they have recommendations for their future. In-home services such as home health therapy, nursing visits, or home care can help monitor your loved one’s health and safety and ensure their well-being. However, if multiple concerns arise, or your loved one isn’t safe during the overnight hours, it may be time to consider senior living options. Edgewood offers adult day services, short-term stays for temporary support, and assisted living, memory care, and independent living options. To learn more, contact us at info@Edgewoodhealthcare.com.
