Ed and Sandy knew something was off when their parents Alice and
Bill started receiving past due notices from creditors. The siblings decided to
look for other signs that mom and dad needed in-home care.
Driving Skills Decline :
Their father's involvement in a fender-bender brought Ed and Sandy
to their parent's home. Upon inspecting the car Ed found damage that he knew
predated the most recent accident. The condition of the car told Ed it was time
for one or both his parents to stop driving.
The House Isn't Properly Kept:
Both Sandy and Ed had noticed previously that their usually
meticulous mom had been letting the housework slide. The house hadn't been
dusted for weeks, items were left where they fell, and the place had an
unpleasant odor.
The Pantry is Nearly Empty:
Sandy called her brother into the kitchen where she had already
thrown away some outdated food. The refrigerator and cupboards were nearly
empty. When asked, their parents admitted that they hadn't been eating
regularly.
Memory Lapses And Mood Swings:
When Alice offered to make coffee Sandy noticed that the task her
mom had performed countless times seemed to confuse her. As Sandy made the
coffee her mother confided that she routinely experienced memory lapses. As the
four of them drank their coffee Bill flew into a rage for no apparent reason.
It was revealed that those inexplicable rages were becoming increasingly
frequent.
Not Taking Meds:
Ed decided to check on his parent's medications. Comparing the
directions and refill date with the number of pills in the bottle made it clear
mom and dad weren't taking their pills regularly.
The Outside of The House Isn't Maintained:
As they walked around the outside of their childhood home Ed
turned to his sister, "Remember how much effort dad used to put into
maintaining the house and lawn? Now the grass is ankle-high." "I know
the gutters are full of debris and the place needs painting.", Sandy
replied.
Loss of Interest:
As Ed and Sandy were discussing their parent's situation a
neighbor and longtime friend Mrs. Meacham approached them. She expressed
concern that Sandy and Ed's mom and dad had stopped hosting weekly game nights.
Mrs. Meacham added that Bill and Alice seemed to have lost all interest in
everything they once enjoyed.
Lack of Hygiene:
As Bill walked by his son and daughter noticed that he smelled a
little. When Ed asked his father if he had been showering his father told that
he hadn't showered in a while. Both Bill and Alice's clothes were wrinkled and
soiled.
Bill and Alice weren't taking care of their home or themselves. At
least one of them was no longer capable of driving. There was also Alice's
forgetfulness and Bill's mood swings. They had given up activities they enjoyed
and weren't taking their meds properly. Every indication is that they need an
in-home caregiver, like a home Care Clearwater.
