The holidays can mean a lot of different things to different people. Although holidays can be a fun time to connect with family, they can also be a rude awakening if an older loved one is not doing as well as previously thought. While loved ones may be able to hide their struggles during short visits or phone calls, signs may be more obvious during long visits. What signs should you look out for and when do they mean that your loved one needs extra support?
Appearance
- Has their appearance changed? Are they unkempt or have poor hygiene?
- Do they look like they’ve lost weight?
- Do they have bruises or cuts?
Behavior
- Are they acting different than usual? Are they more withdrawn or seem anxious about things they haven’t been anxious about in the past?
- Do they seem depressed or uninterested in things?
Aging in Place
- Are doors left unlocked or appliances left on?
- Is the home messy? (Especially if your loved one is usually tidy)
- Do appliances and lightbulbs work?
- Do they seem to have trouble with household tasks like cooking or laundry?
- Are there fall hazards (E.g., curled rugs, cords and wires, etc.)?
- Open the refrigerator and/or cupboard to see if they have enough food.
- Is there any spoiled food?
- Can they reach everything they need to? Are they using stools or chairs to reach things?
- How sturdy do they seem when they walk? Are you worried about them falling?
- Could your loved one benefit from having grab bars or other home safety modifications?
Medication
- Look at their medication bottles and/or pill organizer. Does it look like they’re taking their medications regularly?
- Are they running low on any medication? Are they out of any medication?
Memory
- Are they confused?
- Do they repeat themselves when talking to others?
- Are they struggling to find words?
Driving
- Have they gotten a ticket recently?
- Does their car have dents and/or scratches?
- When asked, can they remember how their car got dented/scratched/dinged?
Finances
- Are there unpaid bills?
- Are there uncashed checks?
- Has there been any unusual activity in their bank account?
Join us next Wednesday for part 2: where to find resources, and what to do with a loved one that refuses help.
