Could Your Senior Be Struggling with Dental Health Problems?
As a family caregiver, one of the most important things you can do is protect your parent from health issues.
This includes detecting issues they might be struggling with so you can help them to get the care and support they need to overcome those issues and protect their health from serious consequences. One such health issue is oral health problems. Problems with your parent’s dental health are not just about an attractive smile or good-smelling breath, though these are important.
Caregiver in Frederick County VA: Dental Health Problems
Good oral health is an important part of good overall health and can be a factor in preventing serious issues such as heart disease and gastrointestinal problems, as well as extensive infections.
Being able to detect signs that your senior is struggling with dental health problems allows you to arrange for the care and support they need to manage these issues and restore their health.
- Some signs your parent might be struggling with dental health problems include:
- Only chewing on one side of their mouth
- Not using their front teeth to bite
- Holding their jaw or face when they chew, or when they eat or drink something hot or cold
- Bad breath
- Not talking as much, or holding one side of their face when they talk
- Avoiding hard or crunchy foods
- Avoiding foods or drinks that are particularly hot or cold
It is particularly important to pay attention to behaviors such as this if your parent is struggling with cognitive functioning decline.
With this issue, your parent might not be able to express feelings of pain, discomfort, or looseness. Even if they feel these sensations, they might not understand them, be able to say what they are going through, or know what to do to resolve it. Paying attention to these behaviors can give you insight into what your parent is going through, and allow you to detect when they are struggling with dental problems so you can help them get the attention they need to resolve these problems.
The customizable nature of a provider’s schedule is one of the ways home care can truly benefit your aging parent.
Some seniors require more extensive care during the day, while others have greater needs when it comes time for bed, or even during the night. Whether your parent needs to have care 24 hours a day, just overnight, to help them settle down for the evening, or during the day, an in-home senior care services provider can be with them to provide the level of support, care, and assistance that is right for their needs.
This care provider can help your parent establish and maintain a schedule and routine that provides predictability and structure, help them manage their personal care needs, and support health and safety. As their family caregiver, this can help you to feel less stress and have more flexibility to manage all aspects of your life, including your care relationship.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Caregiver in Frederick County, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Call Us Today at (703) 634-9991.
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