Senior Misconceptions

Costa Mesa, CA – WEBWIRE – Friday, June 13, 2014

Older adults are great at pretending that everything is “just fine” with them. That means their loved ones—typically adult children or grandchildren—must read between the lines and ask probing questions about the quality of their in-home care. Oftentimes older adults still view themselves as “the parent,” and therefore don’t want to bother their children or grandchildren with concerns about being neglected or abused. When visitors come, they may feign a smile and tell you what they think you want to hear.

However, just because your mom or dad tells you that they’re eating 3 meals a day, drinking plenty of water, taking their medications on schedule, and getting in a daily walk—are they? Your elderly family member may crack a huge smile when they see you, but behind that smile they could be masking pain, dehydration, and malnourishment.

If you pay attention to details and put the right preventative care plan in place, then there is no reason to fear that your elderly family member is being neglected or abused. This can help them live out the rest of their life feeling cared about, healthy, and happy. The first step to putting a preventative plan in place is to recognize and identify common obstacles to exceptional senior wellness. Here are some tips to include in a PLAN OF CARE:

Visit your parents at least two times per week. Drop in unannounced to see for yourself what their day-to-day routine is like.
Observe the amount of groceries bought and consumed for the week.
Pick up their medication/s for them. Count the pills or check the fluid level in the bottles each time you visit. If they still have some left at the end of the month, then you know they aren’t taking the necessary medications.
Put water bottles in their refrigerator. If the bottles aren’t disappearing, then you know they aren’t drinking enough water.
Stick around long enough to watch them exercise—either go on a walk with them or help them move their arms and legs if walking isn’t an option. A simple Google search for “senior exercises” will yield many helpful results.
Accompany your parents on doctor’s visits so that you know what is going on.

If your loved one puts the right preventative care plan in place there is no reason to fear that they are suddenly going to become ill. It is projected that by 2050 one in five Americans will be 65 or older. At In Home Care Solutions we have a committed staff of trained and experienced caregivers that are just as dedicated to providing quality care for your loved one as you are.

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