If you’re a family caregiver for your elderly parent, knowing when to step in and provide more intensive care is important. That’s what makes skilled nursing care in Troy, TX a great place for people with dementia-related illnesses. Dementia is often associated with older people, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get help for your mom or dad if they’re struggling with this condition. These are some of the things that indicate your aging parent might need skilled nursing care:

Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairment is the most common reason older adults need skilled nursing care. It’s also one of the most challenging conditions to diagnose, as many factors can cause it, and symptoms often overlap.

The signs that you should look out for include the following:

Difficulty remembering recent events or conversations; forgetting names or dates easily.
Poor judgment in making decisions, such as difficulty with basic math calculations.
Changes in mood or personality (depression, anxiety).

Worsening Confusion

Your loved one often needs clarification and reassurance. They may need help finding their way around the house or remembering what day it is. They may need to remember the names of family members or mix up words in conversation.

They may also need help with basic tasks like bathing, dressing and feeding themselves or doing simple math calculations like counting change at the grocery store.

Inability to Eat or Drink on Their Own

If your parent cannot eat or drink independently, it’s a sign that they might need professional help with daily activities. They may also have difficulty swallowing or chewing. You should consider skilled nursing care if you notice the following signs:

Your parent has trouble swallowing food or liquid.
Your parent has difficulty chewing their food.
Your parent seems weak when trying to lift heavy objects.

Dehydration and Malnutrition

Dehydration and malnutrition are two common conditions that require skilled nursing care.

Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in, which can happen if you aren’t drinking enough water or eating enough food. Symptoms include thirst and infrequent urination, as well as fatigue and weakness.

Malnutrition occurs when you don’t get enough vitamins or minerals from the foods you eat regularly. It’s often caused by not having access to healthy options or being unable to prepare meals yourself due to health problems like arthritis or Parkinson’s disease (or simply being too frail). Signs include weight loss or gain without changing your diet habits; changes in appetite; irritability; weakness and dizziness upon standing up quickly – even though these symptoms may seem unrelated at first glance (and indeed they might be), they’re all signs of malnourishment!

Physical Injuries or Chronic Pain

Your parent may need skilled nursing care for a physical injury or chronic pain. This could result from an accident or a health condition, such as arthritis or cancer. If your aging parent is in this situation and it has been more than two weeks since their last visit to their primary physician, you should contact them again immediately and ask about what steps can be taken next.

Trouble Recognizing Family and Friends

You can tell your parent is having trouble recognizing family and friends by how they act around them. If your parent doesn’t respond to your voice or seems confused when you’re talking to them, it could be a sign of dementia. Other possible signs include: