Holiday Visits with Seniors
The holidays are a time to enjoy visits with your loved ones. They are also the perfect time to check in on your senior friends and relatives. Unfortunately, age-related decline can happen quickly and, a lot of times, seniors are skilled at concealing their problems. We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to pay close attention to physical health, mental health, and their living situation.
Things to be on the look-out for:
1. Physical Health:
Has there been any significant weight loss? This could be a sign of illness, dementia, or depression. It can also be a sign of energy loss if the senior does not have the energy to shop, cook, and clean up after meals.
Are they having issues with balance or mobility? Paying close attention to the way they move and walk may show signs of pain or neurological problems. This may make them a significant fall risk. Many seniors do not report falls to loved ones or medical professionals out of fear they may be prompted to change their living situation or use an assisting device such as a cane or walker.
How much medication are they taking? Taking handfuls of pills may be a sign of a medical condition you were not aware of. It may also be a sign that the senior is not managing their medication correctly. Being aware of what they are prescribed and what medical professionals they see may be very important in the future.
2. Mental Health:
Does their behavior seem abnormal? It is hard to gauge someone’s emotional state over the telephone. Watch for signs of depression, anxiety, withdrawal from activities, and sleeping habits.
Are they maintaining their physical appearance? A lack of personal hygiene can be a sign of dementia along with confusion, paranoia, and agitation. It can also be a sign of dehydration or a urinary tract infection (UTI) which are very common in seniors.
How is their memory and ability to plan? If you are constantly having to repeat yourself, remind your senior of things or if your senior is having trouble making plans or analyzing a basic situation, a trip to the neurologist may be in order. Uncertainty and confusion with previously familiar tasks are a sign of cognitive decline.
Are they using poor judgment? Look for late notices in the mail. Listen to your senior answer phone calls. Do they respond to spam calls? Talk to them about the different scams in the news. Poor judgment can be a sign of mental decline.
3. Living Situation:
Has large amounts of clutter appeared? If your senior was always very neat and organized, this may be a concern. Look for unopened mail, long overdue chores (piles of laundry or trash), expired foods or medications. All may be a sign your senior is struggling to complete every days tasks alone.
How are the pets doing? Significant weight loss or weight gain in pets may mean your senior is forgetting to feed them, unable to go to the store to purchase their food, or may be unable to walk them for exercise. Are the pets well behaved? If they are out-of-control, they may be a fall risk or even accidentally knock down your senior.
Solutions
The holidays are a wonderful time of family togetherness. This is a great time to talk to your loved ones about the plans for their future. Ask about Powers-of-Attorney. If they have signed them, who is appointed, where are the located, when was the last time they were updated? If your loved one does not have a power-of-attorney, or if it was signed more than two (2) years ago, it is time to have it reviewed by an Elder Law Attorney. The Power of Attorney is our greatest weapon in defending and protecting our seniors.
Only an attorney can tell you and your senior what is right for you. We recommend that Powers-of-Attorney be drafted by an elder law attorney. Contact our office today to learn more.