The holidays are a time for gathering with family and friends, including some we may not have seen in a long while. Children grow in spurts, appearing much taller than the last time we saw them, and we observe how they have outgrown certain toys. Noticing these things can bring about feelings of surprise and wonder. Holidays are also a time to notice signs of advancing symptoms in the people we love who are approaching an advanced age and experiencing declining health. These changes are often more subtle than the ones we see in younger folks.
This holiday season, please take a moment to pay special attention to those who are older and possibly in need of extra care. Some advancing symptoms to look for include:
- Weight gain or loss
- Unsteadiness or balance issues
- Changes in hygiene habits
- Worsening symptoms of existing diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and heart trouble
- Increased irritability
- Confusion, depression, anxiety, or apathy
- Unopened mail, increased clutter
- Inability to maintain a clean home or kitchen
- Social isolation
If you notice signs of advancing symptoms such as those listed above, you may wish to speak with your loved one about them. The approach you take is important because you know your loved one best. Respect for independence is always key in any discussion. Simply sharing knowledge of available resources may be enough to plant the seed for someone who is privately concerned about their health and abilities but is unsure where to turn.
At Four Seasons, we offer Care Navigation with Aging Life Care™ professionals who help educate you and your loved ones on available community resources such as transportation, meals and groceries, setting up caregivers and home care when needed, and much more. For more information, call 866.466.9734 or visit FourSeasonsCare.org.
