Home for the Holidays: A Checklist for How Loved Ones Are Doing

Visiting aging loved ones over the holidays offers a great opportunity to look for any changes in their health or behavior since you last saw them. There may be signs that it’s time to enlist extra help and care for their wellbeing.

Checklist of What to Look for When Visiting Older Loved Ones

Changes in Appearance. How your loved one looks can provide important clues about possible underlying conditions, including illness, disease, depression and dementia. Look for:
Lapses in personal hygiene or body odor.
A disheveled or ungroomed appearance.
Dirty clothing.
Unexplained weight loss.

Changes in Physical Abilities. A visit is a good time to look for changes in balance and mobility, which may be signs of joint, muscle or neurological problems. If unsteady on their feet, they may be at risk of falling, which can cause severe injury and poor health in the future. Look for:
A reluctance to walk.
Difficulty getting up from a chair.
Changes in gait or how they move around.
Obvious pain during movement.

Mental or Emotional Changes. Keep an eye out for changes in your loved one’s moods and behavior. Emotional disorders can affect their quality of life by causing stress, insomnia, fatigue and pain, which in turn can affect memory, concentration and decision-making. Look for:
Signs of depression and anxiety.
Withdrawal from social activities.
Changes in sleep patterns.
A loss of interest in hobbies.
Apathy.
Odd behavior, such as confusion or agitation.

Changes in the Home Environment. If your loved one’s home is not maintained to its usual standards, it could indicate a problem. Look for:
Clutter or dirty conditions.
Unpaid bills or stacks of unopened mail.
Scorched cookware, which could indicate that your loved one forgets that food is cooking.
An overflowing hamper, which could mean they don’t have the strength or desire to do laundry.
Expired food, an empty cupboard or refrigerator, or meager supplies of only convenience food.
Expired or unused medications they’ve neglected to take.
Household hazards that increase the risk of falling, including poorly placed furniture and electrical cords, slippery rugs and dim lighting.

Getting proper support for a senior loved one usually starts with an honest assessment of their current situation. If you feel that your loved one could benefit from personal home care, Kadan Homecare would be happy to share our knowledge and experience with you and your family. We have more than 40 years of experience “Caring for Families as Only Family Can.”

Our extensive referral network includes other senior care experts, safety specialists, physical therapists and specialized providers. As Certified Dementia Practitioners, we also know when it’s time to seek an escalated level of care for your loved one.

To talk with our team or to schedule a complimentary in-home senior care consultation, please call 770-396-8997 or email info@kadan.org.

Sponsored Content by Kadan Homecare