Checking in with your parents during the holidays

Whether you’re spending the holidays with your senior parents safely in person or with the help of technology, it’s a great opportunity to take a hard look at their health and wellbeing. If you’ve been thinking about personal care community options for a while or recently realized it’s the best option for them, Heather Glen Senior Living has prepared a list of signs to watch out for when visiting with your family members. These signs can often go unnoticed—but when they’re top of mind, you and your family can recognize when your loved one is ready to transition to a personal care community. 

Their mind 

One of the first signs that many people notice in their loved ones is a distinct change in personality, behavior or routine. 

Is your loved one acting differently toward you, friends, family members and even strangers? Are they experiencing depression or showing a loss of interest in what was previously their favorite activities and pastimes? Changes in overall mood or disposition can be an early symptom of memory loss. Forgetfulness and confusion also fall into this category—if they’re getting lost in conversation, forgetting to take medications or even misplacing items in unusual places in their home, it could be time to discuss alternative living arrangements. 

Heather Glen Senior Living offers a Memory Care Community that emphasizes all aspects of wellness, including physical, spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual and environmental. Each resident receives an individualized support plan based on their needs that is developed with collaborative input from the resident themselves, their family members, caregivers and support staff. 

Their body

Learning to differentiate between common changes in a loved ones physical appearance due to aging and signs that they may be struggling can help keep your loved one safe. 

Loved ones afraid of losing their independence might be embarrassed to talk about injuries, including falls—so be on the lookout for bruises, scratches or cuts. Take time to assure them that there’s nothing to be ashamed of, and you’re just trying to make sure they stay safe and healthy. Seeing them struggle to sit or stand is another tell-tale sign of aging that personal care communities are designed to help with. Weight loss, poor personal hygiene and a lack of energy are other causes for concern that should be addressed. 

Heather Glen’s compassionate caregivers provide assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing and hygiene, medication management and wellness assessments. Three well-balanced meals a day, along with an always-available stock of snacks and beverages, keeps residents well-fed and happy. On-site physical therapy, fitness center, outdoor walking trails and a putting green help keep residents in shape and have fun while doing it. Although our caregivers are available 24/7, your loved one (and you) can appreciate the independence they’ll still feel in our community. 

Their belongings   

You may notice that your loved one is unable to take care of their belongings like they once did: the home is messy or run down, yard is overgrown, broken appliances are left unrepaired, fridge is full of expired food. The inability to keep up with the things around them can be due to mobility issues, memory loss or other symptoms of aging.  

With the high-quality hospitality services and environment of an all-inclusive community, your loved one can enjoy a comfortable living space that will feel like home in no time. Heather Glen’s caregivers, as mentioned above, will help make your loved one’s life easier by providing a daily helping hand. 

Your peace of mind 

Once you recognize the signs that your parent may need help navigating their daily activities and routines, you may begin to stress about the situation and how to go about the process. Luckily, Heather Glen Senior Living can help you and your loved one navigate the transition to a personal care community, and improve their quality of life almost instantly. Whether your parent is dealing with dementia, illness or just need a safe environment to regain their independence, we have curated an ideal environment for seniors in Lehigh Valley. Contact us today to schedule a tour or learn more about our services.