When you looked across the Thanksgiving table to your elderly parents, what did you see?
As families gather for the holidays, many will observe changes in their elderly loved ones. Perhaps it’s subtle, like a repeated story or a forgotten name. In other cases, the changes are more obvious, like an unsteady gait or personality shift. As our parents age, it can be difficult to accept that we need more help caring for our elderly parents. We want them to maintain their independence and continue living in their own home, but as their physical and mental abilities decline, it’s important to recognize when additional assistance may be necessary. This is especially true when it comes to parents aging in place, as most older adults prefer to do.
If you recently spent time with your elderly parent over the Thanksgiving holiday and noticed a decline in their mental or physical health, it may be time to consider more help. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some common signs that indicate your aging parent may need more help to age in place, and how a remote elderly monitor can help you help them to continue to live independently.
Don’t Overlook Changes in Your Aging Parent’s Behavior
Changes in behavior can be one of the more subtle, yet most important indicators of an older adult’s capability to live independently. While it’s very easy to observe an older adult’s mobility, gait, and endurance by watching, for an older adult to age in place safely, we also have to assess their non-physical capability too. It’s important to look for signs of forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty completing familiar tasks, questionable decisions, or a decline in personal hygiene.
Holiday gatherings are opportunities to observe your elderly parents. Perhaps a grandchild is suddenly called by the wrong name, or despite being in a familiar home, they can’t remember where the bathroom is. Many older adults will minimize these situations for fear of losing their independence. But as family caregivers, it’s crucial to remain vigilant so we can help our elderly parents aging in place.
How to Initiate Conversations about Receiving Assistance
Initiating conversations about more assistance for your aging parent can be challenging, but it’s an essential step in ensuring their well-being. The first thing to remember is to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding. Start by expressing your concerns and observations about their health and safety, focusing on their best interests. Use concrete examples to illustrate your point, such as instances where they may have forgotten important appointments or struggled with daily tasks.
Listen attentively to their thoughts and concerns. Encourage open dialogue and assure them that their opinions and preferences matter. Offer reassurance that this discussion is not about taking away their autonomy, but rather about ensuring their safety and well-being so they can age in place.
Remind them that your role is to help them achieve their goal – which is to age in place for as long as possible. You’re on the same team.
By approaching the conversation with empathy, understanding, and open communication, you can help your aging parent feel more comfortable and receptive to receiving the assistance they may need.
The Benefits of envoyatHome for Senior Monitoring
Technology has revolutionized the way we care for our aging parents, providing us with the tools to discover behavior that puts older adults at risk and monitor their well-being from anywhere. Senior monitoring systems, like envoyatHome, can help us reach our goal – it’s tangible help caring for elderly parents aging in place.
The envoyatHome elderly remote monitor is a tool for family caregivers. envoyatHome discovers over 35 behaviors that put an older adult at risk when they’re home alone. It reports these behaviors to you in real time which means as they’re happening, so you can intervene before an emergency situation arises. Examples of behaviors that envoyatHome can discover are night wandering, behavioral symptoms of insomnia, UTIs, and dehydration, elopement – plus many more behaviors that caregivers can’t see because they’re not there.
envoyatHome is designed with the independent older adult in mind. There are no cameras to compromise privacy, no listening devices, and no wearables to charge or leave behind. There are no buttons to push, which is a challenge when an older adult is overwhelmed by an emergency.
If you don’t know, you can’t help. Technology is real help caring for parents aging in place. By embracing an innovative monitoring solution like envoyatHome, we can ensure their safety, well-being, and ability to age in place.
Importance of Early Intervention for Elderly Parents
Early intervention is crucial when it comes to supporting our aging parents. By recognizing the signs of decline and seeking help early on, we can ensure their safety and well-being as they continue to age in place. Waiting too long to address their needs can lead to more significant issues down the line, both physically and mentally.
Taking the initiative to monitor their wellness and daily activities is an essential part of early intervention. With systems like envoyatHome, we can stay informed about their well-being and detect any potential emergencies. These tools provide peace of mind, knowing that we can take immediate action if necessary.
By prioritizing early intervention, we can make a significant impact on our aging parent’s quality of life. It allows us to provide the necessary support and resources, ensuring they can continue to age comfortably and safely in their own home.
Coping Strategies to Deal with Emotional Stress and Burnout
Taking care of an aging parent can be emotionally taxing and can often lead to feelings of stress and burnout. It’s important to prioritize your own well-being while caring for your loved one.
Remember, it’s essential to prioritize your own well-being to provide the best care for your aging parent. Taking care of yourself allows you to be more present, patient, and compassionate as a caregiver.
Put technology to work for you. When you need help caring for elderly parents, a remote elderly monitor like envoyatHome can give you peace of mind while helping your loved ones age in place for as long as possible.
