Whether it’s a grandparent, parent, or someone else in the family who is close to you, the decision is seldom easy. Unfortunately, delaying the difficult decision can end up aggravating the situation even more. So, how is a person supposed to know when an elder is not fit to live on their own? As long as you know what to look for, finding the signs should be relatively easy.
Melancholy and Anxiety
Sadness and anxiety can become a perpetual problem for a lot of seniors, especially if they live alone or after they have lost their partner. If the individual is living alone at that time as well, then there is a high chance of that sadness turning into clinical depression and GAD. Clinical depression and anxiety are extremely bad for seniors all on their own, but they also have the additional effects of directly and indirectly expediting neurodegeneration in elders who have dementia.
Weight Loss
Weight loss in seniors who live alone is often an alarming indicator of dementia. They could be forgetting to eat and drink in a timely manner, if not almost completely. Unfortunately, people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can forget the sensation of being hungry and/or thirsty, although that is more likely to happen in the more advanced stages of the disease. It is more likely that they are losing track of time, which will inevitably lead to worse effects.
Even depression, which is often a side effect of dementia can lead to a senior consciously refusing to eat. At other times, they might be suffering from dysphagia, which is another common symptom that accompanies dementia. Dysphagia can make the act of swallowing food and water both painful and difficult, if not impossible. Discuss options for moving them to a care home where they would receive the constant care and supervision from professional caregivers. For those in Suffolk, this private care home in Bury St Edmunds is a good option to consider.
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Causing Harm to Self or Others
Dementia can make people forget who they are living with, and in worst case scenarios, even who they are themselves. The confusion created in the afflicted elder’s mind is not only painful to watch, but it can also be harmful. It is not uncommon for patients with Alzheimer’s to harm others or themselves through no fault of their own.
If you notice any signs of such behaviour, minor as they might be initially, that should be a cause for alarm. To keep both the elder and those around them safe, professional supervision could become mandatory down the line. Do note that in instances where the senior has become aggressive, it may no longer be safe for anyone to live with them without professional supervision either. Therefore, a care home is often the best option to ensure everyone’s safety.
The final point to note is that hoarding and uncleanliness can be both symptoms of psychological disorder, as well as signs of physical incapacity. An inability to clean and get rid of garbage and the hoarder mentality are certainly not the same, but they may look the same to you. Either way, if you find that the senior is unable to take care of their home and or clean themselves properly, it is time to consider a care home for them.
