Keeping hold of independence is important as we age, but there comes a point where we may need to seek additional support, which can be a scary thought. For starters, asking for help can feel embarrassing, and second, it’s difficult to know when it’s time to ask for help. Therefore, we’ve gathered together the most common warning signs that it’s time, and also provide information on where to get support.
Money Problems
As we age, we become less agile, which means we aren’t able to work in the same way. Unfortunately, this means that financial responsibilities can become a struggle, especially when insurance costs begin to add up. Further, with increased vulnerability, many seniors fall victim to money scams, which puts them in a worse position. Fortunately, there is help out there, including moving into senior living facilities. Senior living communities offer an affordable location, a community, and a sense of security.
Frailty and Poor Hygiene
Whether you have the mobility to care for yourself or not, your lifestyle can leave you demotivated to do so, which will leave you with a bad odor. If you let yourself go too far, loved ones will start to notice signs including messy grooming, dirty clothes, and messy living conditions. Unfortunately, falling into this cycle can lead to not eating properly, which will put you on the path to frailty. Typically, if conditions stoop this low, a loved one will intervene and seek support.
Isolation
According to the US Census, more than 14 million seniors live alone, which can have a detrimental impact on their health. Losing mobility and not taking care of yourself can make you pull away from loved ones and ditch hobbies. When seniors are left isolated for too long, they can develop conditions including:
- Addiction. Being bored and alone can lead to bad habits including smoking, drinking, and drug abuse.
- Depression. Isolated seniors can become severely depressed, which is a gateway to dementia and other conditions.
- Mortality. Unfortunately, isolation can have a direct impact on a person’s mortality rate.
Worsened Medical Conditions
Chronic illnesses like heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease are more likely to develop in seniors. These conditions require medical attention, which isn’t easy to get without support. Further, as well as chronic conditions, seniors are prone to falling regularly and they can struggle to get up on their own. As a loved one, you can install smart monitoring equipment to track the number of times they fall or what their heart rate is like – you can seek support if you notice negative common occurrences.
Available Support Options
Now you know how to identify the need for support, it’s time to ask for help. You can receive aid from the following places:
- Senior living communities.
- Home health care.
- Assisted living care.
- Nursing homes.
- Charities, including Alzheimer’s Care.
Aging isn’t always a fun experience and can be made worse without support. Knowing when to seek help is half of the battle, the other is having the courage to ask for it.
