Home for the Holidays: Signs Your Loved One May Need Assistance
Over the holiday season, it’s common for more people to travel and visit family members and friends from out of town. Often, this is the first time many of us get to see some of our loved ones since last year’s festivities. If you are visiting a parent or older relative’s home this holiday season, it is the perfect opportunity to make sure they are still living safely on their own.
To help you make the most of your visit, our assisted living team at Rivertown Ridge in Wyoming, Michigan, is sharing which signs could signal that a loved one needs or could benefit from additional care and support.
Changes in Appearance
A lot can happen over the course of a year, but the changes in appearance we’re referring to are not if they have a different hair color or new wardrobe. Instead, pay attention to your parent or loved one’s hygiene and personal grooming habits. For instance:
- Does their hair look like it is washed and brushed regularly?
- Are they wearing clean clothing?
- Does your family member look like they are taking physical care of themselves?
- Are they showing a significant change in weight since you lost saw them?
A noticeable change in weight can be a sign:
- They have an underlying medical condition
- They are having difficulty preparing healthy or consistent meals for themselves
- Something else entirely
If you notice any of these changes in appearance during your holiday visit, this could signal that your family member could benefit from additional assisted living support like Rivertown Ridge offers to individuals and families in Wyoming, Michigan.
An Untidy Home
Granted, the holidays can add a little chaos to our homes (decorations, wrapping paper, baking supplies, etc.), but you likely know what your parent or loved one’s home usually looks like. Perhaps their home is not as decorated as it normally is for the season – was that by choice, or are they having some issues with mobility that limited their ability to decorate?
Additionally, pay attention to the non-holiday-related aspects of the home.
- Is the driveway or walkway maintained and free of snow and ice?
- Is there more clutter around the house than usual?
- Is there unopened mail piling up on the counter?
All of these are signs that your family member’s home may be becoming too much for them to handle, and they would benefit from downsizing and a more supportive lifestyle.
Download our free Home Safety Checklist to discover easy ways to modify your loved one’s home to make it safer, more comfortable and easier for them to navigate.
Personality or Behavioral Changes
While living alone is what many of us associate with maintaining our independence, it can also be limiting when it comes to socialization opportunities. During your holiday visit, pay special attention to personality or behavioral changes in your parent or family member. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are common in those who live alone and can lead to “a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, [and] Alzheimer’s disease,” (National Institute on Aging).
Fortunately, assisted living communities like Rivertown Ridge offer various socialization opportunities for residents to connect and socialize with friends and peers. For example, our community in Wyoming, Michigan, features engaging activities and community amenities shaped around the seven dimensions of wellness.
Our senior living community is meant to be a social hub for friends, family and loved ones to congregate and experience new things. By having an assortment of amenities and services at their disposal, residents can live independently without the worry and maintenance of living alone.
Your visit this holiday season is the perfect time to reassess your loved one’s living situation and needs. Our team at Rivertown Ridge is here to help guide you and your family through every step of the process. If you would like to learn more about what we offer, give us a call at 616-258-2727 or click here to contact a member of our team.