September is Suicide Prevention Month. Learn the signs to help those your love.
SIGNS YOUR AGING PARENT NEEDS HELP
18 Signs To Look For:
- Bounced checks, calls from collections, and late payment notices. Are bills being paid late or not at all? Are there messages from collection companies?
- Broken or damaged appliances and fixtures. Have they stopped cooking or maintaining a regular meal schedule because their kitchen appliances don’t work? Are important items breaking and/or not being tended to, such as light bulbs or smoke alarms?
- Changes in mood or extreme mood swings. Are your parents acting differently toward you, friends or even strangers?
- Cluttered, dirty or disorganized house. Is the home beginning to look and feel different, or even unrecognizable?
- Confusion and uncertainty when performing familiar tasks. Do your parents seem uncertain how to complete daily chores or tasks such as laundry, vacuuming or washing dishes?
- Feeling depressed or having little to no energy. Is there a noticeable change in your parents’ demeanor? Do they smile or laugh like they used to?
- Wearing disheveled or tattered clothing. Is there a distinguishable difference in your parents’ appearance? Are their clothes worn or dirty?
- Keeping expired groceries and not throwing them away. Is food collecting dust on the counter or making the fridge and house smell?
- Forgetfulness. Are they losing or misplacing keys, wallets or other important items?
- Forgetting to take medications. Are there full bottles of prescription pills in medicine cabinets?
- Leaving the house or yard maintenance unattended. Are weeds growing uncontrolled or is trash piling up outside?
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed. When was the last time they did something they loved?
- Missing important appointments. Are they frequently rescheduling missed appointments, or simply not showing up?
- Weight loss or poor dieting habits. Have you noticed they’re eating less, or consuming only fast food or prepackaged snacks?
- Poor personal hygiene. Do you frequently notice bad breath or body odor?
- Trouble getting up from a seated position. Are they struggling to sit or stand?
- Frequent injuries or bruising. Have you seen bruises, scratches or cuts appearing more often without any reason or an explanation?
- Unexplained dents or damage on their car. Are they getting into more accidents? In general, are they not paying attention to their car or safety?
Paying Attention to the Little Things
No one knows your parents or loved ones like you do — something unusual for them may be an everyday situation at your friend’s parents’ home. Still, it’s helpful to know the common warning signs that may signal trouble, especially now, since coronavirus may keep your loved ones more isolated.
Don't Wait To Report Abuse, Neglect, or Self- Neglect. Act
Do you need to report suspected abuse, neglect, or self-neglect of a vulnerable or elderly adult? Call: Toll Free 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366) Or, report suspected abuse online at our secure site: https://reportadultabuse.dhs.tn.gov/
All reports are confidential and can remain anonymous.