CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Determining if Mom or Dad is safe living alone, can be difficult. Many seniors fiercely guard their independence, and have no interest in moving to an assisted living facility.

It's a tough discussion for adult children and parents to have. Nevertheless, it's one that needs to take place while seniors are of sound mind so they can have input on where they live, and make decisions on legal and financial aspects of their future.

Here are some signs that your parent or elderly relative may need assistance:

1. Mail: Is there unopened mail, unpaid bills, late or cutoff notices left unattended?

2. Refrigerator: What does it look like inside? Is there food? Are the expiration dates current on items?

3. Personal appearance: How is your loved one's physical appearance? How is their weight? Are their clothes clean? Is their hair washed and kept?

4. Medication: Ask your loved one to take you through their medication for the day. What is each pill for, how often do they take it? Check the bottles and refill information to ensure that the medications are current.

Most importantly, be an active listener. Ask open-ended questions, not just yes/no answers, about how they are doing, who their friends are, what social activities they have attended lately, what they do for enjoyment. Make a mental note about their state of mind so that in the future, you have a frame of reference to look back on should you think a problem is arising.

Juniper Village: 866-817-7707

Additional Information: Juniper Village
http://www.junipercommunities.com