This holiday season, families will be gathering to celebrate and reconnect. For families with aging parents or grandparents, these gatherings are a great time to reassess a loved one’s ability to care for themselves.

Although the ranks of children caring for their aging parents are growing, not every family carries that burden. For those not yet in that situation, the challenge becomes recognizing the need for care, and knowing when and how it should begin.

An important part in preparing to determine when a loved one needs help is knowing what to look for. The Mayo Clinic recently released guidelines of what families should look for:

Weight loss- Unintentional weight loss can be a sign of a significant problem, including cancer, dementia, depression, heart failure or malnutrition. The cause could be as simple as difficulty preparing food. By talking with your loved one, you can determine if a simple change in food preparation routine or a more serious trip to the doctor is the appropriate next step.

Home safety issues- Serious falls can happen in an improperly maintained home. A burned out light bulb, items on the floor and other dangerous situations might be symptoms of forgetfulness or painful joints. The inability to keep up with simple household tasks may be a sign that intervention is needed.

Neglected personal appearance- Failure to keep up with personal hygiene may be due to dementia, depression or physical ailments, and is one of the most common reasons older people make the move to assisted living.

Drastic mood changes- When life-long friends, hobbies or traditions start falling away from importance, depression might be the culprit. It is important to talk with your loved one if you believe that they have spiraled into more than just a bad day.

Difficulty walking- Mobility is an important part of living independently. When that ability starts to fade, the repercussions, such as a fall, can be dangerous or even deadly. Take note of how easily your aging loved one can get around their house. Make changes to room set ups or suggest a cane or walker if walking has become difficult.

AGIS.com has a helpful checklist to aid families’ appraisals of living conditions. For tips on how to talk to a loved one about assistance and other important assessment issues, check out the Checklists & Assessment section here.

Filed under: Checklist, Elder Issues, Eldercare, Holidays