Ed. Note: The following content was provided by Oakmont of Santa Clarita, who is a client of KHTS AM-1220.

It can be difficult for a senior to admit to their loved ones that they’re having memory problems, so it’s important for family members to look for signs that could help them determine if it’s time for additional assistance.

“Most seniors can be very defensive, (saying) I’m fine, I’m eating, it’s not a problem,” said Margie Veis, executive director of the luxury senior living community Oakmont of Santa Clarita. “Sometimes they don’t see it, sometimes they’re afraid to face it. Sometimes it’s scary to think, maybe this isn’t the best situation.”

According to Veis, things to look for with senior loved ones include:

• Is there food in the refrigerator? Is it expired?
• Are they telling you that they’re eating, but you’re noticing weight loss?
• Is the house unkept?
• Are your parents not showering? Is Mom not doing her hair? Are they not getting dressed?
• Are they staying in more and isolating?
• Are they taking their medications?
• Are you finding their keys in strange places, like the refrigerator, the coffee pot or the dishwasher?
• Are they getting lost, or one day don’t know how to get home from their usual grocery store?
• Do they feel safe living alone? Are you noticing there’s more fear?
• Are they calling you more frequently to do things for them?

“It could be simple things,” Veis said. “Just all of a sudden you’re starting to see they’re having issues with those basic, basic needs of keeping food in the house, remembering to eat, remembering to take medications, keeping their hygiene up… (These) would be some warning signs.”

Veis stressed the importance of family members paying attention to these details even though it might be hard for them to acknowledge a possible problem. Accepting the possibility that they are losing memory retention could help them live life as normal as they can. One important example is when seniors misplace their keys, phones, medicines, and other things. Having a key finder can be helpful when you want to find your keys, and this is a good idea for seniors as well.

“It’s hard as the adult children to see our parents start to fail in their health or not be that role model of that parent like we’re used to,” she said. “But when we put our blinders on, it’s not good for anyone.”

For seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, Oakmont of Santa Clarita is offering a special program called Traditions Memory Care. Residents of the program will live in a separate area of the community where they can receive specialized care to meet their needs by staff who have been trained specifically in caring for memory patients.

Related: Oakmont To Offer Specialized Assistance For Seniors With Alzheimer’s, Dementia

The luxury senior living community Oakmont of Santa Clarita is currently pre-leasing apartments, and is expected to open later this year or in early 2016.

Oakmont of Santa Clarita

28650 Newhall Ranch Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

661-347-0051