This is an evergreen topic. It’s not unusual for adult children to engage us for a consultation when they become aware of uncharacteristic changes in an older person they care about and/or are concerned about their safety.
In this excerpt from a Zoom conversation (recorded December 2021, hence the references to COVID), our founder and principal, Lisa Mayfield, talks with Joanie Parsons of RevelEleven, about older people in our lives and what we should be aware of in support of their well-being.
Lisa and Joanie talk about the more common signs that older adults you care about may be experiencing health or memory changes or thinking problems.
Changes and signs that trigger concern may include, but aren’t limited to:
- Mail piling up or in complete disarray. Bills going unpaid. Utilities being turned off due to lack of payment.
- Managing finances is becoming a challenge, which is unusual for your Dad, who is a retired accountant.
- Spoiled or sparse food in the refrigerator. Many items in the pantry are well past their expiration date. There’s no evidence of meal preparation other than an open bag of store-bought cookies on the counter. Perhaps there’s noticeable weight loss.
- Parents who were once active and engaged socially are isolating at home or doing less.
- Driving is a concern. Dad’s getting lost in familiar places. Or your parents’ car has an excessive number of scraps and dents which your father can’t explain and your mom dismisses as minor.
Not sure what your next steps should be? We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate these concerns and changes. Click here to schedule a get-acquainted call with one of our Certified Care Managers.
Additional Reading & Resources