Are You Visiting With Edlerly Relatives Over The Holidays?
If you are visiting with older family this holiday, ask yourself, can they still live alone safely without help?
If you are seeing a senior loved one face-to-face for the first time in months or perhaps even an entire year, experts advise families to carefully watch for signs of possible depression or medical issues in older adults. Holiday visits should also be wellness checks, and families should be prepared to develop a plan of action for caring for their loved one before heading home if they see signs of concern. Sharon Roth Maguire, Chief Clinical Officer for BrightStar Care suggests “Family visits are a prime opportunity to not only observe for warning signs, but also provide much-needed companionship, mental stimulation and general uplifting activities. In many cases, holiday visits can be lifesaving.”
Here are the signs to look for to determine if your loved one needs support at home:
- Have they have fallen more than once?
- Do they seem to never leave the house?
- Are they able to keep the home clean and tidy?
- Is there stacks of unopened mail?
- Are missing payments and deadlines
- Are they losing weight?
- Are they neglecting their hygiene?
Consider each of these questions to be signs your elderly relative may need support. If these signs are present it should help you make a decision as to whether or not your aging loved one should continue living alone without support. If an elderly person is struggling, the best advice is to talk to a Senior Care Professional to learn about how you can help.
BrightStar Care of Richmond provides 24/7 to Hourly Care
We offer care around the clock and a full continuum of private duty home health care services, including companionship, personal care, transportation, medication assistance, and skilled nursing. We proudly serve Glen, Allen, Manakin, Sabot, Chesterfield, Midlothian, Oilville, Richmond, Montpelier, and State Farm.
For more information on how BrightStar Care supports seniors and families, and to learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled healthcare professionals, and home health care support for Richmond families and businesses – Please Click Here