2 years ago · navdeep · Comments Off on Changes To Look For In Your Senior Loved Ones Over The Holidays

Changes To Look For In Your Senior Loved Ones Over The Holidays

With the holiday season upon us, we are all looking forward to some much-needed time with family and friends and everyone’s favorite – food! It is certainly well-deserved this year more than ever, as we have been through a lot the last few years. For some people, this may be the first holiday season they are seeing their parents or senior loved ones in person. People are pretty good at hiding their ailments, especially seniors who don’t want to worry their children or families, so the holidays are an excellent time to check in on them for any signs of memory loss or age-related decline. We have compiled some helpful resources and are sharing some tips on what to look for when visiting your aging parents or family members this holiday season.

Signs of Age-Related Decline

It is estimated that 7 million Americans provide senior support from a distance, relying mainly on phone calls to gauge their loved one’s well-being. When visiting them this holiday season, there are some age-related decline changes you can look for that aren’t as apparent until you see them in-person.;

• Misplacing Common Items
• Daily Hygiene Struggles
• Weight Changes
• Balance & Mobility Issues
• Forgetting Names
• Changes in Mood or Behavior

We discuss each of these changes in length in an article we shared last year. We encourage you to check it out for more specific information related to each change.

Your Concerns Are Verified, What Now?

If you notice one symptom or change, it is not necessarily a cause for concern, but if you see several changes, it may signify that they require more assistance and support. Discuss your concerns with them, but be mindful of the season in taking a light-hearted approach. Collect the necessary information while you are there and start by suggesting they schedule an appointment with their physician. Here is a great resource that addresses how to handle signs of decline in your senior loved one.

How To Help Your Senior Loved One Maintain Their Independence

During your visit, you can assist them by doing their grocery shopping, creating a system to assist with paying their bills, setting up recurring shopping orders for essentials, or ordering meal delivery plans.

To ensure their safety and well-being, you can remove expired foods or medications, ensure walkways, inside and outside, are clear, flatten or tape down rugs or runners that have curled, and throw away broken or dangerous items.

Their independence is likely very important to them, as it is to all of us, so any assistance you can provide them while allowing them to continue living unassisted will greatly help with their overall health and demeanor.

Tribute Is Here To Help

We have found a very comprehensive and informative checklist that you can print or access on your phone when visiting aging loved ones over the holidays. Not only is this a list of signs of memory loss to watch for, but it also includes suggestions on how to help your senior loved one.

Tribute is committed to changing lives with our innovative and research-based approach to assisted living and memory care. We boast several intervention programs and believe that by incorporating nutrition, brain neurobics, inflammation reduction, and physical activity, our residents will regain lost abilities and live their lives to the fullest. If you’d like to know more about what makes Tribute unique or more about our programs, please contact us.