Top Ten Signs Your Senior Loved One May Need Assistance
January 7th, 2008
Sandra Sprague
CARE GIVERS NW Newsletter
The holiday season is suddenly behind us and visits with family and friends
are over. Holiday visits are wonderful times to catch up with loved ones and
enjoy each others' company in the warm glow of seasonal cheer.
Take a moment to reflect on these visits with senior loved ones and
consider their living situation. Addressing the possible need for change in a
loved one's living situation can be difficult but a good time to broach this
subject is often right after a holiday visit.
First, try to determine if there is a need. Below is a baseline list of signs
which often point to a need for changes in a senior's lifestyle:
Any of these changes in living conditions could point to decreased visual
skills; the possibility that getting into and out of the tub has recently
become too physically challenging; early onset of Alzheimer's and many
other common challenges seniors are faced with. These changes may
indicate a need for an increased level of assistance to help maintain a level
of lifestyle independence that is so important to your senior loved ones.
There are many ways to help your senior loved ones deal with needed
lifestyle changes. Simple additions to the household such as bathtub grab-
bars, ramps and other safety measures can do wonders for improving their
quality of life. Sometimes a periodic visit from an in-home care provider to
assist in day-to-day activities of life (ADL's) will be enough to augment a
slight decline in self-care abilities.
Some good resources to begin with these matters are AARP, Health and Age.
com and the DHHS Administration on Aging (AOA) website. Just remember:
the perfect time for addressing these concerns for your senior loved one is
before a medical emergency such as a serious fall or other injury forces the
issue.
Sandra Sprague
CARE GIVERS NW Newsletter
The holiday season is suddenly behind us and visits with family and friends
are over. Holiday visits are wonderful times to catch up with loved ones and
enjoy each others' company in the warm glow of seasonal cheer.
Take a moment to reflect on these visits with senior loved ones and
consider their living situation. Addressing the possible need for change in a
loved one's living situation can be difficult but a good time to broach this
subject is often right after a holiday visit.
First, try to determine if there is a need. Below is a baseline list of signs
which often point to a need for changes in a senior's lifestyle:
- Less active lifestyle - more time at home, ceasing church attendance,
etc. - Decline in housekeeping quality - unmade beds, dirty dishes,
unwashed laundry, etc. - Blackened or charred pots and pans
- Uncharacteristic weight loss
- Bruises, abrasions or other indications of falls
- Distinct changes in the home's exterior upkeep and maintenance
- Bills and other mail piled up and unopened
- Reduction in number of social engagements
- Lack of interest in pursuing hobbies such as gardening, sewing,
crosswords, etc. - Reduced self-care efforts - personal hygiene failings such as body
odor, unclean clothes, etc.
Any of these changes in living conditions could point to decreased visual
skills; the possibility that getting into and out of the tub has recently
become too physically challenging; early onset of Alzheimer's and many
other common challenges seniors are faced with. These changes may
indicate a need for an increased level of assistance to help maintain a level
of lifestyle independence that is so important to your senior loved ones.
There are many ways to help your senior loved ones deal with needed
lifestyle changes. Simple additions to the household such as bathtub grab-
bars, ramps and other safety measures can do wonders for improving their
quality of life. Sometimes a periodic visit from an in-home care provider to
assist in day-to-day activities of life (ADL's) will be enough to augment a
slight decline in self-care abilities.
Some good resources to begin with these matters are AARP, Health and Age.
com and the DHHS Administration on Aging (AOA) website. Just remember:
the perfect time for addressing these concerns for your senior loved one is
before a medical emergency such as a serious fall or other injury forces the
issue.
Sandra Sprague holds a degree in Healthcare Management and has worked in the
senior care field for over 18 years as a caregiver, activity director, social services
director and marketing manager. In 2005 she founded CARE GIVERS NW, a
Portland, Oregon in home care service; under her leadership as a hands-on owner it
has grown to be the premier senior care provider in the region.
senior care field for over 18 years as a caregiver, activity director, social services
director and marketing manager. In 2005 she founded CARE GIVERS NW, a
Portland, Oregon in home care service; under her leadership as a hands-on owner it
has grown to be the premier senior care provider in the region.
| Does This Apply to a Loved One? Contact us today to schedule an interview or to receive more information! Phone: (503)251-9851 E-mail: CAREGIVERSNW@comcast.net |
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Portland:
(503)251-9851
Lake Oswego:
(503)534-6644
(503)251-9851
Lake Oswego:
(503)534-6644