The holiday season is here and instead of one or two hour visits, families get together a lot more during this time. This is a perfect time to see warnings signs that mom and dad need help. When you spend more time together, you are more likely to see the shortness of breath or memory failure. This year, when you are visiting, preparing feasts and exchanging gifts, you might want to take a fairly objective look at your older loved ones. The warning signs you force yourself to see might well prevent a crisis and help you to prepare before a crisis occurs.
Here is a list of warning signs your elderly loved one might need help. Listen to your instincts, use the following warning signs as a guideline and think proactively.
Look at Medications: Check expiration dates. If medications are out of date, is it because they are forgetting to take them, or are they too expensive and not being refilled? Has the number of prescriptions increased significantly? If unsure, check on the Internet to find out what these new medications are usually prescribed for.
Mail: The mail is often a good indicator when things are starting to go wrong. A stockpile of unopened mail could indicate memory problems, difficulty seeing, lack of interest or financial problems. A great quantity of new magazines or sweepstakes circulars could indicate someone is responding to offers or someone is taking advantage of them financially. Are there overdue bills in the stack? This clearly indicates they need assistance with their bill paying and financial management.
Moving Around: Are your elders having trouble getting up out of the chair? Are they using the furniture, walls and doorways to keep steady while walking? Arthritis, vision problems, medications and general weakness could all be contributing.
Weight: Weight loss or gain of more than a few pounds could be a clue to problems. Is it getting to be too much to fix good meals? If they seem to be eating pretty much as usual and there has been a noticeable weight change, it could be a side effect of medication or a symptom of another health issue.
If you are seeing some of these or other warning signs, be proactive and talk with other family members and determine what steps need to be discussed to protect your loved ones.
Ms. MacDonald’s practice is limited to Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate and Elder Law. Ms. MacDonald maintains her practice in the Santa Clarita Valley at 27013 Langside Avenue, Suite A, Santa Clarita, California. She can be reached at 661-251-1300.