An assessment is a good way to evaluate your parent or loved one’s overall well-being. Here are some clues to look for when determining if the older person you love could benefit from physical or occupational therapy to help rebuild their strength, allowing them to live stronger, more active lives. You may want to consider getting your loved one help if:
- Parts of the home look unused. If your parent is no longer venturing from room to room, and instead isolates himself / herself in one room, this may be a sign of limited mobility or fear of falling.
- The house is cluttered. If your parent is generally a neat and tidy person, clutter could be a sign that he / she is not strong enough to clean or put things away.
- You notice body odor. This could mean that your loved one is not bathing properly, either due to limited mobility or fear of falling in the shower or tub.
- Your parent enjoys cooking but you notice an abundance of microwave meals or takeout containers. This may mean that it is too difficult to access, handle, clean, and put away dishes or pots.
- You find spoiled food in the refrigerator or pantry, which can be a sign of difficulty in the kitchen.
- You see a distinct change in driving skills. Take special notice of dents or scrapes on your loved one's car, or changes in the way he or she drives.
- You observe that Mom / Dad is using furniture, walls, and door jambs for support. Walls and door jambs may exhibit hand marks and become dirty around frequently used areas.
- Your loved one is noticeably less active. This may be a sign that they are fearful of falling.
- Mom / Dad has fallen recently. Falls can be a strong indication of declining function and strength.
- You notice recent weight loss. It may be that your loved one is having trouble preparing food. It may also be a sign of other medical complications.
- You know Mom / Dad has memory loss or a diagnosis of dementia and / or Alzheimer's Disease.
- Your loved one finds it difficult to find the right words when speaking.
- Itâs difficult for your parent to understand what you are saying.
- Mom / Dad has trouble swalling food or pills.
- Your loved one has trouble remembering things, solving problems or focusing since a recent hospitalization.
- The speech of your loved one is often hoarse or sounds harsh.
- Something feels wrong or different. You know those who are close to you â trust your instincts.
These situations can be addressed, and in some cases, resolved, with physical, occupational, and / or speech therapy. The best place for a therapist to treat an elderly person is in his / her home. Sometimes privacy issues will cause him / her to hide the fact that their living situation is deteriorating â a trained therapist will recognize these signals during treatment.
