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14 LIVE IT UP! FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2016 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL e ar enior C S ome afe at H S AMILIES ING F Y HELP AMIL F Enjoy Assisted Living in the Comfort of Your Own Home! Call today for a FREE in home assessment! Our services include: - Caring companionship - Bonded, insured & highly trained caregivers - Bathing, personal hygiene care & assistance - Meal planning & preparation - Medical reminders - Transportation - Light housekeeping & More! (831) 462-3500 820 Bay Avenue, Suite 101 Capitola, CA 95010 www.safeathomeseniorcare.com F or most of us independence is an important aspect of life. We all have our habits and methods of doing things, and life has a rhythm that just "fits." As we age and physical changes occur, we may find ourselves or our loved ones dealing with the changes ineffectively. Sooner or later, the question arises, "When should I seek help?" Often our first instinctual thought may be, "Oh, I don't need help. I have been taking care of myself my entire life." Or if it is your parent that is in this position, you may be conflicted with, "I can't tell Mom or Dad what to do – they would never listen to me. He's too proud, it's not time yet." And the most common thought, "Let's wait." So we await anxiously, "When should I look for help?" still in the back of our minds. This situation comes up all too often in our society. Many seniors struggle with their loss of autonomy and independence when they are no longer capable of caring for themselves without assistance. The causes are often physical conditions that come naturally with age. Fortunately, we do not have to guess; here are some common indicators that help us determine when it is time to get help before a crisis event occurs: 1) Physical Condition: Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with a medical condition (i.e. Alzheimer's,) that affects daily living? 2) Personal Care: Are you or your loved one practicing proper hygiene? Are you or your loved one, well groomed? 3) Nutrition: Are you or your loved one exhibiting proper nutrition, eating healthy, fresh food? Does all the food in the refrigerator and cupboards have current expiration dates or are some food items spoiled? 4) Mental Health: Are there difficulty in expressing thoughts or feelings or using the right words? Are there significant memory lapses (Forgetting the day or year or location) or unusual mood swings? 5) Safety, Security & Sanitation: Is the house messy, in disorder? Are there items on the floor that may contribute to the risk of falling? Have there been any falls in the past six months? Is trash piling up in and around the house? Family members often see the changes in the way an elderly family member moves, acts, thinks and responds to situations around them, but dismiss them until one of two things happen: 1) The family begins to spend so much time helping their loved one, they have little time for their own responsibilities or 2) The senior experiences a major crisis. Examples, like a hard fall when no one is around, or they may become lost when they leave their own home. If you have a concern about any one of these indicators for yourself or a loved one, it is time to be open and honest about the concern. Address the issue, be proactive and seek assistance before any of these events becomes a crisis situation. Our services enable our elderly population to continue to live comfortably, independently and with dignity, safe at home. Knowing When to Get Help By Ryan Colligan, Director of Safe at Home Senior Care