Newmarket and Ely Living Dec 2019 - Jan 2020

Caring for the elderly members of your family
Over Christmas you may have spent some time with the family and perhaps more time with
the elderly members and you become concerned about their health?
Here we list 8 warning signs to assess if they need help and what to
do if they do. You may wish to consider the following questions:
1. Is the person (persons) able to take care of themselves?
Pay attention to their appearance. Failure to keep up with daily
routines - such as bathing and tooth brushing - could indicate
dementia, depression or other physical impairments.Also pay
attention to their home. Are the lights working? Is the heat on? Is the
garden overgrown? Any changes in the way things are being done
around the house could provide clues to their health. For example,
scorched pots could mean they are forgetting about food cooking
on the stove. Neglected housework could be a sign of depression,
dementia or other concerns.
2. Are they experiencing memory loss?
Everyone forgets things from time to time. Modest memory
problems are a fairly common part of ageing, and sometimes
medication side effects or underlying conditions contribute to
memory loss. There’s a difference, though, between normal
Changes in memory and the type of memory loss associated with
Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Are the memory
changes limited to misplaced glasses or an occasionally forgotten
appointment - or are the changes more concerning, such as
forgetting common words when speaking, getting lost in familiar
neighbourhoods or being unable to follow directions?
3. Are they safe in their home?
Take a look around their home, keeping an eye out for any
problems. Could their be a difficulty navigating a narrow stairway?
Are they able to read directions on medication containers? When
asked, do they say they feel safe at home?
4. Are they safe on the road?
Driving can be challenging for older adults. Do they become
confused while driving or are you concerned about their ability to
drive safely, it might be time to stop driving. They could be a danger
to others.
5. Have they lost weight?
Losing weight without trying could be a sign that something’s
wrong. Weight loss could be related to many factors, including:
• Difficulty cooking.
• Loss of taste or smell.
• Underlying conditions - indicating ill health.
6. Is the person (persons) in good spirits?
Note their moods and ask how they’re feeling. A drastically different
mood could be a sign of depression or other health concerns.
7. Are they still social?
Talk to them about their activities. Are they connecting with friends?
Have they maintained interest in hobbies and other daily activities?
Are they involved in organisations or clubs? Have they given up on
being with others, it could be a sign of a problem.
8. Is the person (persons) able to get around?
Pay attention to how they are walking. Are they reluctant or unable
to walk usual distances? Have they fallen recently? Is knee or hip
arthritis making it difficult to get around the house? Would they
benefit from a cane or walker? Issues such as muscle weakness
and joint pain can make it difficult to move around as well. If
someone is unsteady on their feet, they might be at risk of falling - a
major cause of disability among older adults.
Taking action
There are many steps you can take to ensure the person/persons’
health and well-being, even if you don’t live nearby. Share your
concerns with them. Your concerns might motivate them to see a
doctor or make other changes.
Encourage regular medical check-ups
If you’re worried about weight loss, depressed mood, memory
loss or other signs and symptoms,encourage them to schedule a
doctor’s visit.
You might offer to schedule the visit or to accompany them to the
doctor - or find someone else to attend the visit. Ask about
follow-up visits as well.
Address safety issues
Point out any potential safety issues you have observed - then make
a plan to address the problems. For example, the person (persons)
concerned might benefit from using assistive devices to help them
reach items on high shelves. A higher toilet seat or handrails in the
bathroom might help prevent falls. If they are no longer able to drive
safely, suggest other transportation options -such as taking the bus
or using a taxi.
Consider home care services
Particularly if they are having trouble taking care of themselves, you
could hire someone to clean the house and run errands and help
with daily activities, such as bathing. To ensure good nutrition Meals
on Wheels is also an option.
And finally
It would be a good idea to secure an Enduring Power of
Attorney to ensure that if things get worse you can step in
without having to involve the Court of Protection. Your
solicitor will be able to give you good advice on this.
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