When It's Time to Move
Many people ask when they need to start discussing moving their folks into a senior community. Watching your parents age and observing situations tells you it is time to arrange for a move. Here are some examples:

• You've traveled to visit your mother for the holidays and found her refrigerator nearly empty, her checkbook misplaced, and her finances in disarray.
  
• A neighbor calls you to report that your father was wandering in the street, unable to find the home he's lived in for 30 years.
  
• Your mother has neglected to take her diabetes medications, severely compromising her health.

Top Ten Reasons to Move a Loved One

• Lack of proper nutrition related to food preparation evidenced by weight loss of more than six pounds or 10 percent of body weight in six months.
• Agitated paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, suicidal thoughts, aggression.
• Evidence of fires and/or misuse of appliances
• No food in house or only rancid food.
• Falling, especially when remaining down more than two hours.
• Evidence of injuries, caused by self or abuse by others: unexplained cuts and bruises.
• Medication mistakes – taking too much, not taking at all, or not taking at times prescribed.
• Neglecting basic care: such as medical treatment, personal care, housecleaning, pet care.
• Repeated emergency room visits, hospitalizations, physical complaints.
• Frequent calls to police or emergency services.

If there is a decline in cognitive abilities as a result of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, or a shift in a medical condition that requires increased care, there is clear cause to be concerned about your parent's welfare. The need to relocate your parent to a safer environment may become apparent.

Call A Caring Heart - we can help.