7 signs your senior may need assistance


SENIOR PLACES NETWORKADVOCATING FOR SENIORS

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THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO CARE FOR THEM

• How many people have parents that are the oldest they have ever been?

• How many people have had to deal with some form of the medical system or caregiving in relationship to their aging parents?

• How many of us are older today then we have ever been????

• Currently 10,000 Americans a day turn 65 years old



Objective: To discuss the signs and symptom's of

seniors at risk of declining health and

identify potential forms of assistance

available in the community



Most families eventually have to deal with the complicated and overwhelming question:

How do I know when an aging relative needs more assistance than our family can provide?

One thing is certain: your parents will not be the ones to tell you they need help!



• Adult children sometimes experience a rude awakening when first discovering their aging parents are not able to function as they once did.

• For children who do not see their parents often, this can be particularly unsettling.

• No adult son or daughter wants to admit that a parent who provided life, nurturing and was a vibrant role model during childhood is now in need of care.



So the question becomes, what are the important signs that your loved one needs assistance, and what kind of help do they really need? Many aging seniors need some degree of help with daily tasks.



These tasks include • Bathing• Cooking• Eating• Changing clothes and getting safely into and out of the bathtub• Driving to a doctor’s appointment or• Just running daily errands.



Often, as the aging process unfolds, your senior may exhibit even more needs, such as • Early signs of mild cognitive

impairment

• Inability to consistently take medications correctly or

• Financial vulnerability to scam artists who target seniors.



So, what are some of the common indicators that your parents may need assistance or care? Here are some of the tell tale signs:

• Neglected Home • Poor Eating Habits• Neglected Hygiene• Depression • Forgetfulness• Unopened Mail and Mishandled Finances



Neglected Home A neglected home is generally an easy warning sign to spot and may mean the older adult needs a little extra help taking care of the house. Other physical clues around your parents' home may be a red flag• The smell of urine - indicating possible bouts of

incontinence• Scorched pots and pans, indicating forgetfulness

while cooking.• Spoiling food in the refrigerator is another sign

that your loved one is not eating meals regularly or may need help in preparing food.



Poor Eating Habits

A decrease in appetite is not unusual for the elderly. It is often difficult to spot this warning sign, which is why it is particularly important to pay attention to cooking and eating habits. Additionally, monitoring your loved one for weight loss is recommended.



Neglected Hygiene

Body odor, neglected fingernails and/or teeth are easily noticeable warning signs showing that your senior needs attention.

This could be due to your aging parent not being able to safely get into the shower or bath.

Do a physical assessment of the bathroom; consider placing grab bars, or getting a raised toilet seat.



Neglected Hygiene (cont’d)

Also, check to see if the laundry is getting done.

Often, you may see aging parents wearing the same clothes for several days in a row. This could be an indicator of forgetfulness or simply a sign that it is too difficult for the older adult to load and unload clothes from the washing machine and dryer.

Forgetfulness is one of the many early signs of dementia



Depression If your parent is depressed, you may observe unusual behavior, or a general change in their normal demeanor. Symptoms include:• lack of drive or motivation• failure to return phone calls• or they just don’t “seem like themselves”.

Changes in normal routines such as gardening or meeting with the “bridge club” or just a general social withdrawal are also signs of depression and an indicator that assistance may be needed.



Forgetfulness You may notice one or more of the following warning signs indicating cognitive impairment; forgetfulness can often be the early sign of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s or some other type of memory impairment.


Forgetfulness (cont’d)


ConfusionConsistent

memory lapsesDifficulty

performing familiar tasks

Frequently misplacing

things

Getting lost walking or

driving

Repetitive Speech

Loss of initiative

Unable to complete a sentence

Rapid mood swings or

changes in behavior

Changes in personality

Cannot recall names of

familiar people or objects


SENIOR PLACES NETWORK

ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS

A more difficult sign to spot -- and potentially a much more embarrassing issue for your senior - is neglected financial matters. Check to see whether bills are being paid on time, and make sure they are not being paid twice. Lost cash or hidden money may be signals that someone needs to step in and help with finances.

Unopened Mail and Mishandled Finances



If you are concerned that your parents are experiencing one or more of the above indicators, the next step:

• Realize and forgive yourself for any denial you may be in• Talk to your parents – often they are afraid to be a burden• Talk to rest of your family about the care or assistance they

may need • Make an appointment with your loved ones primary

physician and review the current medication regime and surrounding circumstances

What can you do….



Our Senior Community Liaisons are available to provide a NO COST in-home assessment of your needs, or if you prefer we can prepare a customized care plan based on your unique needs over the telephone.

We offer personalized service and support in finding the right care for your family.

What can you do….



If you would like help in determining what the appropriate amount of care is or what local resources are available to you and your family, please feel free to call us at Senior Places Network.

714 458 1385

What can you do….



Elena Merchand LVN,WCC,DCC

www.SeniorPlacesNetwork.com

[email protected]

714 458 1385

THANK YOU

7 signs your senior may need assistance

Health & Medicine

aging seniors

symptoms of seniors

seniors depression

seniors objective

seniors adult children

senior needs attention

need of care

aging parents