We often hear from our seniors, “I do not want to be a burden on my family.” Families will try to respect the wants of their parents and accommodate them to the best of their ability, which in return can cause a strain on the relationship. Adult children slowly start to become caregivers by helping with medications, light housekeeping, laundry, meals and doctors’ appointments. At this point the senior is
no longer living independently as they’re relying on the assistance of the family.
There are signs to look for in seniors such as cognition decline, decreased mobility, decline in personal
hygiene and social isolation. For example, my grandmother is still living alone; however, she relies
heavily on surrounding family for help with her daily tasks throughout the home. She has now outlived
her friends, and her husband has been deceased for 5 years. She says to her adult children that she is
not ready to move into a community and she would like to stay in her home. Recently she has fallen but
out of fear of her family finding out, she called her daughter, who lives 20 minutes away. In those 20
minutes she was unable to get up on her own; she lay on the floor vulnerable and possibly injured.
In many instances after a fall the choice of staying home is no longer an option, and it can be difficult to
navigate, especially when your loved one is in the hospital or a skilled nursing facility. When falls
happen once, they are more than likely to happen again. It is important to call a professional such as a
senior care advisor to assess your loved one and to determine if a move is right for you.
