Hooray, you’re home for the holidays! Time to catch up with old friends, stop into your favorite restaurant, and visit mom. But as you pull into her driveway, hungry for her famous sweet potato pie, you see that the house looks a little neglected. The driveway is slick with ice, and the sidewalk looks like mom has shoveled only a narrow path, rather than clear the walk.
When you step inside, it feels cold and there is a noticeable draft coming from windows. The place is spotless, just as it’s always been, but all the curtains are drawn tightly shut and the place feels dark, lonely, worn.
The kids run to the guest room to see if mom has put cookies on their pillows like she always does – but there are no cookies waiting to greet them. The Christmas tree isn’t up and when you ask about it, mom says that it’s just too hard to pull all those things out. There is no scent of pie fresh from the oven – she says she usually eats a TV dinner at night and cereal in the morning, and most days she skips lunch.
Many adult children can relate to this experience. The assumption is that mom is fine, that she’s taking care of everything, and that because she hasn’t complained, nothing is wrong. But it’s harder to do things than it used to be, and some things just aren’t possible at all. Mom is getting out less, leading a quieter life, and seems discouraged – it’s just too much for her to keep up with all the things that need to be cared for.
It’s distressing to find out that a loved one or senior is suffering and hasn’t asked for help. Staying connected can be difficult if you don’t live near your aging parent, and that lack of connection can be hard on them as well, causing them to neglect things they once took for granted.
Start your conversation now, before the winter season creates problems, about considering a senior living community. Here are some reasons to consider moving to a senior community before the harsh weather becomes a burden:
Start your conversation now, before the winter season creates problems, about considering a senior living community. Here are some reasons to consider moving to a senior community before the harsh weather becomes a burden: Modern senior living offers a stress-free lifestyle and provides seniors with safety and security so that holidays and every day can be enjoyable.
- Caring for a home in winter is difficult, with slippery stairs and walkways, muddy lawns, and inclement weather posing challenges.
- Seniors may be reluctant to ask for help. Drafty doors and windows may be too difficult for your loved one to fix, leaving them in the cold./li>
- Gutters and roofs need maintenance that can be dangerous for many seniors. Storms may cause roof leaks and other damage if they are not well maintained.
- A cold, drafty home can make stiff joints hurt more, making activities like shopping, cooking, cleaning, and repairs painful.
- Without the ability to travel during a season that lends itself to loneliness and depression, seniors can feel isolated and neglected.
- Weather related accidents and falls can leave a senior stranded and injured with no way to communicate with others.
There are so many tasks that can be difficult for a senior who may be having trouble with mobility – shoveling snow, cleaning gutters, and removing leaves to name a few. Modern senior living offers a stress-free lifestyle and provides seniors with safety and security so that holidays and every day can be enjoyable. Residents of these communities have access to activities, social groups, medical care, transportation, healthy meals, and technology to stay connected to family and friends.
Senior living communities are a wonderful way to enhance your loved one’s life and make it easier to enjoy the winter season and holidays. Talk to your senior today about how easy winter can be!