- cassyeriksson
Assessing the Well-Being of Aging Parents
Happy Summer from Seamless Senior Transitions!
School is out and many families are making the track to go see Grandma & Grandpa! For many who’ve been kept apart by COVID, like my extended family, it may be the first time in quite a while.
Every summer I get phone calls from adult children who noticed something about their parent(s) that concerned them, and panic ensued. Given the toll that COVID living has had on many seniors, I wanted to offer my readers some tools to help structure and guide their thinking. Whatever happens, don't panic! There are an array of services available to help and I'm happy to guide you toward them.
When you visit your parent, look around and really take note of how they’re really doing.
Appearance. Does your usual well-kept parent seem to have slipped with their grooming habits? I’ll never forget when my dad stopped brushing his teeth regularly. For the guy who used to have a legendary dental hygiene regimen, this was a big red flag for me.
Nutrition. Can you tell if your loved one is eating properly? Have they gained or lost an abnormal amount of weight? What’s in the fridge and cupboards? Is it still good or has it expired? Expired food is both a warning sign and a health risk if consumed.
Home Duties. Does it look like the home is running as you’d expect from your loved one? Are there piles of unopened mail, laundry or other evidence that home care has gotten to be overwhelming?
Interaction. Can they engage in conversation and recognize people? Difficulty hearing or seeing are often mistaken for cognitive issues. How old is their eyeglass prescription? Are their hearing aids working?
Looking for a more information on how to assess your loved one's well-being? Download our Assessment Tool here:
Feel free to call me if you've got concerns about your loved one. There are so many resources out there, that nobody needs to struggle on their own!
All my best,
Cassy