Caring For an Aging Loved One, by Janet Louise Gibson
What are the signs that an aging loved one may be starting to fail? How do you know who to trust? Who do you listen to? When you suspect some changes have to be made for an older loved one, where do you start? Let’s begin with understanding the signs that a loved one may need supportive care.
There are certainly times when decisions are forced on us by a health crisis. These situations provide some clarity about our choices. However, there are many other reasons an older loved one may required care. The signs may be subtle and the onslaught slow. As with most of the complicated things we face in life, determining when a loved one may require more help than we can provide may be quite difficult. This is normal, particularly if the older loved one is a parent. Now you are faced, not only with your loved one’s mortality, but with the real possibility of having to parent your parent.
How do we know when an older loved one will require additional care? The signs can be physical, emotional, and cognitive.
Sudden and dramatic weight loss. This is an immediate red flag that your loved one may need some attention.
Memory Lapses, Decreased Judgment, Increased Forgetfulness. As we age, we all suffer varying degrees of forgetfulness. But memory loss can be an indication of the onset of a much more serious condition.
Medication Problems. Not taking prescription medication as prescribed, combining medications, or forgetting to take medication can be caused by physsical, emotional, or cognitive problems.
Avoiding/Ignoring/Forgetting Responsibilities. Unopened mail and unpaid bills or taxes are signs that attention is warranted.
Unexplained and/or Consistent and Multiple Bruising. Abnormal bruising, cuts, bleeding, and/or burns can be a signal of frequent falls due to impairment, illness, balance problems, or lack of judgment. It can also be indicative of physical abuse or medication misuse.
Withdrawal from Social Activities. Physical limitations, illness, depression, fear, memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s could also be contributing factors.
Neglecting Household Duties – Home Falling Into Disrepair. A home that has not been cleaned, laundry and dishes that are not done, and a home that is falling into disrepair can be signs, among others, that it has become physically difficult for your loved one to complete these tasks.
Changes in Eating, Cooking, and Shopping Habits. Is your loved one eating regularly and nutritiously? Is there fresh food in the refrigerator? Is there evidence of burned foods, scorched pans, or accidents with ovens, stoves, or small appliances? Again, along with physical infirmities, problems can be a result of illness, depression and anxiety, memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Poor Hygiene. A decline in personal hygiene can be due to bathing and grooming being physically difficult. It can also be attributed to depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
Mood Changes. Sudden and frequent mood changes, changes in appetite, difficulty in concentrating, sleeping too much or too little, hopelessness, despair, listlessness, and anxiety are all symptoms of depression, which is quite prevalent in seniors.
Unsuitable Behavior, Speech, or Appearance. This may be something reported to you by a neighbor or friend of your loved one. It is a sign he or she may be confused or disoriented.
Wandering. Wandering is a potentially dangerous sign your loved one may require help. A large percentage of missing persons in the United States are Alzheimer’s patients.
Alcohol Abuse. Alcohol abuse will cause all the related problems in seniors that it does in younger people.
Driving. Older drivers experience hearing and visual compromises, a reduction in reaction time, and physical infirmities that will negate their ability to drive. Prescription drugs and alcohol abuse can further impair their capability.
If you recognize any of these symptoms in an older loved one, further investigation may be necessary.
