The last time you visited your aging loved one – perhaps a parent – did you notice signs of declining personal hygiene? For a retirement-age individual’s health, this can have far-reaching consequences. A myriad of diseases and infections can make ailments that already exist even worse, just for starters. What’s more, if a person who doesn’t practice good hygiene lives with others, it puts those other people at risk, as well.
As some people age, they may care less about their hygiene. They may feel like they don’t want to bother. They think, “What’s the use?” On the other hand, they may be having difficulty taking care of themselves and would benefit from living in an atmosphere such as an assisted living community. In a setting such as this, someone will always be around to see to it that they bathe, eat, live in a clean environment, etc.
Let’s take a closer look at why your loved one may be declining where personal hygiene is concerned.
Depression
Different people are affected in various ways by depression. For some, it can make them feel like they are shutting down. It becomes a chore to do even the most mundane task. Personal hygiene regimes are foregone because it just seems pointless. Insomnia, confusion, and lethargy are some signs of depression that can be attributed to many things, even some types of medication.
Authority
Some people have a very hard time asking for assistance. This can be particularly true for retirement-age individuals. They might feel like they’re losing control of their lives and asking for help would make them feel/appear vulnerable or weak.
When someone reminds an older person to take care of certain daily tasks, the individual may feel like that person is trying to be an authority figure. They’re thinking: They aren’t interested in anything an authority figure has to say. They are old enough not to have someone telling them what to do.
Dementia
Not everyone who ages ends up with Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc. But every year, approximately 10 million cases develop. Thinking and memory capabilities can be affected by dementia, depending on the severity and type. Personal hygiene issues may be caused because they forget to care for themselves.
Senses Are Dampened
With age, sometimes senses tend to degrade. Smelling capabilities, hearing, taste, and sight decline. Your loved one may not actually be aware of their physical well-being. This could result in personal hygiene neglect. If this is happening, you may notice your loved one having bad breath, soiled clothes, body odor, etc.
Consider Assisted Living If Your Loved One’s Hygiene Keeps Declining
The foundation of everything we do here at Morada Grand Prairie is based on exceptional service and care. If your loved one is having trouble attending to personal daily activities and could use some help, our assisted living community could be the answer you’ve been in search of. Here, community members receive personalized, professional care – 24/7 – including management of glucose/insulin, incontinence management, assistance with bathing/showering, management of medications, and more.
What’s more, thanks to all of our scheduled activities and celebrations, your loved one will have an opportunity to make many new friends and form meaningful relationships.
