While the holidays are a season of vising relatives and spending quality time with those we love, sometimes our celebrations can illuminate signs of aging in older loved ones. Maybe you notice that mom seems a bit more socially withdrawn at the festivities or grandpa mentions getting lost on his drive over, which is a route he’s been driving for years. This type of realization can be alarming, especially for those adult children who live far away and do not see their senior loved ones on a regular basis. But rest assured that there are options – and with some careful research and knowledge of signs to lookout for, you’ll be prepared for whatever is thrown your way this holiday season.
Signs to Lookout For
1. Appearance
When we talk about appearance, we’re mainly looking for changes that are out of the ordinary. These changes can be related to hygiene like newly unkempt hair or wearing dirty clothing. Changes can also look like burns or bruises on the skin that may indicate difficulty with household tasks like cooking or issues with balance and mobility.
2. Physical Health
Oftentimes, we assume that if our physical health is suffering, we will experience symptoms telling us such, but that is not always the case. One “silent symptom” to lookout for in your senior loved one this holiday season is unintended weight loss. This can signal a number of medical conditions, both physical and mental. Are they forgetting to eat? This can be a sign of depression or even early dementia. Or has the physical act of preparing a meal (planning, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning up) become too much?
3. Household
Cherishing memories of past holiday seasons might include visions of a perfectly cleaned and decorated home. And if you show up this holiday season and those visions are no longer a reality, it can create feelings of disappointment and frustration. Just remember, whatever emotions you are feeling, your senior loved one is probably feeling tenfold, especially if a messy home is completely out of character for them. More than likely, the messiness is not for lack of trying, but because they physically can no longer maintain their once pristine household. Other household warning signs can include outdated or expired food in the refrigerator or pantry, unfilled prescription bottles on the counter, and even dents or scratches in vehicles.
4. Behavior
What was their mood during the holiday festivities? Pay close attention. Did grandpa seem withdrawn or overly tired? Was mom less interested in socializing than usual? If you find yourself asking similar questions this holiday season, note that these are all signs of depression in older adults. Maybe your senior loved one seems agitated – this could be caused by a variety of health conditions, including chronic pain.
5. Cognition
A change in cognition is often the warning sign adult children fear most. While a diagnosis of dementia can be scary, early diagnosis and planning for a more supportive lifestyle are imperative in preventing future incidences as the disease progresses. Oftentimes, your loved one will already be aware of their memory deficits and might even try to mask or hide their cognitive decline from you. While some forgetfulness is part of normal aging, it’s important to recognize some warning signs that might indicate cognitive decline. Is your loved one misplacing items? Do you find them repeating themselves, seeming confused, or making poor decisions? These could all be signs of early dementia or another memory affecting disease.
What To Do
Start by having a conversation. Talk with your loved ones about your concerns and get their perspective. Understand that as difficult as this conversation is for you, it’s much more difficult for a senior who might feel like they’re losing their independence.
Create an action plan. If in-home care is needed, research local in-home care organizations. If your loved one is considering moving into senior living, tour different communities in the area. Here at Sunset, we offer in-home care through Sunset at Home or independent living, assisted living, and specialized memory care throughout our four communities.
Above all, make sure your loved one knows that you want what is best for them – for them to remain safe, healthy, and happy! The holiday season is about enjoying the company of those you love the most – focus on making memories and finding JOY this holiday season. And rest assured knowing that if you have any questions or need help navigating this journey, we’re here to help. For more information or to schedule a tour, please fill out our website contact form.