What to look for when visiting older relatives and friends during the holidays to determine if they are safe living alone.
During the holidays when visiting your aging loved one, and seeing them face-to-face for the first time in months or perhaps even an entire year is when 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 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.”
This following list of concerns was made by Alan R. Gruber, DSW, Ph.D., MD, a board-certified medical psychologist and neuropsychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and management of behavior disorders in geriatric and medically complicated patients.
Here is what to look for if you are concerned that your parent or loved one is unsafe at home alone:
Damage
Look for dents and scrapes in your parent’s car or home that cannot be explained or recalled. Be sure to drive and stay with your family member to determine whether or not he or she is safe behind the wheel and at home.
Disorientation
A failure to recognize familiar spaces, getting lost, or wandering in well-known areas could be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Financial issues
Sending money to previously unknown “charities” or other out-of-the-blue expenditures can signal an inability to exercise appropriate judgment.
Hygiene
Focus on whether your senior parent or relative is maintaining their grooming, hygiene and dressing according to the season
.
Inaccurate statements
Signs of dementia may include “psychotic ideation,” which clearly untrue assertions are made, such as: “They’re talking about me on T.V.,” or “I saw men in my bedroom last night.”
Injuries
Unexplained bruises or injuries are likely to be signs of falling.
Memory loss
Forgetting something at the store is a sign of “benign” memory loss; forgetting something at the store and not remembering that you did when someone reminds you of it is “malignant,” or pathological memory impairment, and bears a closer look.
Missed appointments
Failing to meet the doctor for an appointment without canceling in advance may be a sign of declining health.
Physical aggression
A senior who attacks others because they are believed to pose a threat shows an inability to control feelings of distress.
Poor nutrition
Pay attention to the loss of appetite, unwillingness to cook for themselves or weight loss.
Scorched pans
These may indicate the inability to cook safely and could pose a fire hazard.
Spoiled food
Food left unrefrigerated or kept around long after it’s “sell by” date can indicate instability.
Unopened mail
Watch for unpaid bills or other neglected household duties.
Word problems
Not being able to recall a common word for something, or frequently repeating oneself can also be a symptom of cognitive impairment like dementia.
If you think you’re seeing the warning signs that you loved one is unsafe at home, talk to a senior care professional. Call BrightStar Care, and learn how we can help. Give us a call at 801-559-3999.
Also, check out our blog on Keeping Seniors Safe During the Holidays for more tips on making this holiday the best for you loved one.
BrightStar Care of Salt Lake City provides Hourly to 24/7 Senior Home 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 Mountainside, Sandy Draper, Midvale, Salt Lake City, Park City, South Salt Lake, Mill Creek, Holladay, Ogden, Orem/Provo, and Murray in UT.
.
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 Salt Lake City families and businesses – Please Click Here