On March 3rd, we honored World Hearing Day. While the day is intended to raise awareness about the importance of ear and hearing care, it got us wondering. How many adult children miss “hearing” the subtle cues that their loved one may need additional care? Consider these three scenarios.
No. 1 – It’s Routine
You pick your mom up from the home she’s lived in for years (and she can’t imagine leaving) to take her to a routine doctor’s appointment. You notice a bruise on her arm. She casually explains that she lost her balance and fell while getting undressed for bed. She pushes it off as uneventful, so you do too. After her doctor’s appointment, you enjoy lunch at your favorite restaurant where mom recounts that she lost weight since her last exam. Again, she makes light of it, so you don’t make anything of it either. Over lunch, she mentions the decorations stored in the garage that she wants to bring in before the upcoming holiday and that she may have to move some things around and pull out the ladder to access the shelf they’re on. It’s all said conversationally.
No. 2 – Maybe It’s His Favorite
The newest great-grandbaby has arrived. It’s a joyous occasion for the family. You pick up dad to visit his grandchildren at the hospital and meet his namesake. As you snap pictures of your dad and the baby, you notice his hair looks unkempt and reach over to smooth it out. A few days later, you invite dad over to have dinner with the family, including the new baby, and notice he’s wearing the same shirt. You shrug it off as “maybe it’s his favorite” until you notice it’s stained. When your daughter brings in her baby and asks if he’d like to hold him and your dad asks “who’s this little one?”
No. 3. – Just Not Interested
Mom has been a lifelong volunteer. She found her purpose and a genuine passion in helping others. However, driving has become increasingly difficult. She’s uncomfortable behind the wheel and puts off going out. While you offer to help get her to the museum where she’s a docent twice a week, you simply can’t fit in daily outings to some of the food banks, hospitals, and other non-profits she’s previously given her time helping. You suggest a drive share program but she declines. You suggest finding others who might be able to help with transportation, but she doesn’t want to be a bother. Soon, mom’s mood changes, she’s just not acting herself, and she’s not as active or interested in what she once loved.
Were you “listening”? Did you catch the subtle and not so subtle hints that it may be time for your loved one to consider moving to a senior living community? It’s not always easy to “hear” or see the signs right in front of us. So let’s break it down. Is your loved one:
- Losing weight due to poor eating habits or because they’re having trouble shopping or cooking for themselves?
- Showing signs of falls or being off-balance like bruises or other marks?
- Wearing the same clothing indicating they may have trouble dressing or undressing?
- Looking unkempt because they forgot to or are nervous showering?
- Forgetting people's names – even those who related to them or are their namesake?
- Unmotivated to participate in lifelong hobbies?
- Acting depressed, angry, or agitated – mood swings that are uncharacteristic?
These are all key indicators that it may be time to consider your loved one's needs for additional care that can be found by moving to a senior living community. At MBK Senior Living communities, we help your loved ones maintain their independence, enjoy the activities they’ve always loved (and introduce them to new ones), and provide them with amenities and services that ensure they are living fulfilling, healthy, low-maintenance lifestyles.
In our communities, residents enjoy:
- The freedom from household chores with weekly housekeeping and linen service.
- Filling their day with social, wellness, and educational activities and outings offered through our Mind+Body Wellness programming
- Pursuing philanthropic opportunities and giving back to the community around them through our Yoi Shigoto Gives Back program
- Delicious, nutritious meals prepared fresh daily through our MBK Cuisine, many which include our new proprietary MBK Fit Flavors seasoning line.
- Staying fit with MBK Fit group and one-on-one fitness classes
- Convenient access to transportation services
- A host of innovative technologies and partnerships to support healthy lifestyles (Ask us about Eversound, IN2L, Rendever, and EmpowerMe to name a few.)
- Supportive care from dementia-trained staff to help foster connection and quality of life
- Peace of mind knowing that caregivers are onsite 24/7 to help, when the need arises
Want to “hear more”? Call one of MBK Senior Living’s 35 communities and schedule a tour today.
