The holiday season is a time for families to come together, celebrating the joy of being with loved ones. It is also an ideal time to gain valuable insights and notice any red flags that may signify your aging parent needs additional support, especially if dementia related memory loss is a concern. In many families, adult children and their parents may live miles apart, making the holidays a precious opportunity to reunite and cherish each other’s company.
Initiating this conversation is a vital step in ensuring the safety and well-being of your loved ones. Identifying early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia is crucial. So…what are the red flags to watch for when visiting older parents this holiday season?
1. Unexplained Weight Changes: Keep an eye out for significant and unexplained weight fluctuations in older adults. Sudden weight gain or loss can be indicative of underlying health issues. While it might be related to a poor diet, it can also point to more serious conditions such as depression, cancer, dementia, or gastrointestinal problems. Additionally, conditions like Parkinson’s, arthritis, chronic pain, or fatigue can hinder their ability to prepare healthy meals.
2. Decline in Personal Hygiene: Observe if your parent’s personal hygiene and appearance have deteriorated compared to the past. Changes in personal grooming, body odor, untidy hair, and wearing inappropriate clothing for the time of day or weather can be signs that they are struggling to care for themselves. Stained or soiled clothing is another indicator of this decline.
3. Balance and Mobility Issues: Falls are a significant cause of injuries among older adults, and it’s crucial to assess your aging parent’s balance and mobility. Pay attention to how they move around their home and in public spaces. Do they avoid stairs or spend excessive time seated? When they stand up from a chair, do they appear unsteady or slow to gain their balance? These signs suggest an increased risk of falling. If you notice bumps and bruises, this may be an indication that your loved one is falling but not sharing this information with you.
4. Financial Management Challenges: Another important aspect to consider is your aging parent’s ability to manage their finances. Difficulty handling money, unpaid bills, or a lack of understanding about their financial situation may indicate a need for assistance in this area. If a solicitor calls the house while you are visiting, notice how your loved one handles this conversation. According to the FBI, older adults are less likely to report losing money to fraud. This is supported by figures from the FTC which show that while 44% of younger people aged 20–29 reported losing money to fraud, only 20% of older people ages 70–79 did the same.
5. Memory and Cognitive Changes: Is there expired or spoiled food in the refrigerator? Have you noticed that your senior loved one is forgetting to turn off the stove or oven? If you suspect dementia-related memory loss in your aging parent, watch for signs such as repeating questions, difficulty following conversations, forgetting names, or getting lost in familiar places.
6. Change in Disposition: If your parent, who has always been upbeat and positive, now appears consistently down or easily angered, it may be a sign that something is going on. Paranoia, tearfulness, and withdrawal from favorite hobbies, pastimes and social groups, may also be early indicators of dementia.
7. Neglecting Home Maintenance: In addition to changes in mood, there are subtle signs of struggle that may go unnoticed. Are their stacks of unopened mail, untended plants, expired food in the refrigerator, or baskets filled with dirty laundry. A particularly concerning sign is scorched cookware, which can indicate that an older adult is forgetting about food on the stove, posing a serious fire risk and a potential early warning sign for Alzheimer’s.
Recognizing these red flags is a crucial first step in addressing your aging parent’s needs and ensuring their safety and well-being. While it may be challenging to broach the topic of senior living options, doing so during the holiday season, when you are together, can provide the necessary support and understanding needed for this important conversation. Ultimately, the health and happiness of your loved one should be the top priority during this festive time of year.
Pay close attention to these red flags when visiting aging parents this holiday season, to assess whether your loved one may benefit from moving to a senior living community, or from having more help at home.
Silver Bridges Consulting is the industry expert when it comes to exploring senior living options and identifying the ultimate choice for you or your loved one. We support families throughout the search and help them find the ideal senior living community, including:
• Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care
Contact us today to get started on a seamless, stress-free senior living search.
