Signs an Elders Needs are Changing
Does your dad sometimes leave the garage door up all night with his keys in the car? Does your mom stay in the same outfit for days and limits her bathing? Have you noticed your uncle has a desk stacked with unopened piles of bills and bank statements?
At first, these behaviors seem a bit out of the ordinary, but you may begin to wonder if something is shifting in your older loved ones’ health and daily care needs.
Warning Signs
How aging affects a family member may be gradual at first but can quickly cause larger challenges. Recognizing true limitations of aging is not always clear-cut, but it may be time to seek outside help if you notice some of warning signs in older adults:
- Increased agitation, speaking loudly or little talking at all
- Communication and relationship changes with family and friends
- Neglect of personal care/nutrition
- Forgetfulness evidenced by unwashed laundry, scorched cookware, or piles of unopened mail
- Financial mismanagement, such as unusual purchases or unpaid bills
- Confusion and uncertainty with accomplishing regular tasks
These may seem like simple changes that many of us experience on any “off” day, but consistency is key. Consistent changes in everyday activities are important to notice, as these are often the first signs your loved one may need assistance.
Navigating Concerns
According to The World Health Organization, the majority of elderly reside in low- or middle-income countries and this number is expected to increase to 80 percent by 2050. The global aging population increases the need for elder caregiving, but no one family caregiver can do it all.
To help you better understand your loved one’s limitations and whether it is time to enlist the help of a professional caregiver, it is important to know where to start and how to navigate the questions and concerns. As your older loved one’s condition begins to flux, here are suggestions for helping you move from guarded concern to appropriate action:
Document changes you notice in your elderly loved one. Are there specific tasks they can no longer perform? Is your loved one confused about medication dosages, or do they let prescriptions expire or not fill them at all? Accompany your elder to doctor appointments so you can hear the medical information firsthand and speak directly with your loved one’s physician.
Involve siblings and significant decision-makers. It is important to share the facts of your loved one’s care needs with your siblings and your elder’s medical and legal power of attorney representatives. If relationship tensions of self-interests exist, now is the time to put these differences aside and focus on what is best for your loved one.
Plan for a direct, yet loving conversation with your older loved one. Think about what your family hopes to accomplish through your dialogue with your senior. Appoint someone to lead the conversation. Use open-ended questions. Be sensitive to not overwhelm or ambush your aging loved one. Listen without judging or doling out advice.
Stay flexible on next steps. Your family may need continued conversations over time to determine the best care for your elder. The time in-between will allow for gathering additional resources or delegating care responsibilities.
Time for Professional Care
While it can be troubling to see forgetfulness, lapsed hygiene and other signs of aging affect your older loved one, the good news is that many elderly people are relieved their families notice and care. In many cases, your loved one can remain independent at home with the support of family members and professional in-home caregivers.
Changes in your older loved one’s daily comfort and safety are not to be ignored but explored—all with caring solutions and professional caregiver support that encourage the health and well-being of your elder in the current days ahead and for years to come.
