Play It Safe

Play it Safe A guide to the subtle warning signs that your aging parent may need help.

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Worried about Mom or Dad? It’s one of the most difficult problems any of us will ever face. Mom and Dad are getting on in years, and we can’t help but notice they’re not quite as sharp as they used to be.

• Mom broke her hip last year and now has a hard time navigating up and down the stairs.

• The dented fender on their car makes you wonder if Dad should be driving anymore.

• Or maybe Dad has passed away and Mom has started to let her once-immaculate home become cluttered and gather dust.

You don’t want to wait until a slip on the staircase or a serious collision caused by a mistake in the driver’s seat forces you to make a deluge of anguished decisions and rapid changes you’re not ready to handle.

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While senior health and wellbeing issues can be subtle and hard to detect, here’s your guide to spotting the early warning signs.

WORRIED ABOUT MOM OR DAD | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

The solution to helping your parents stay happily independent for as long as possible is to monitor their health and well-being to know if they might need one or more of the variety of home care services that are available.

But the trick is many aging parents don’t want to complain and are reluctant to ask for help these days, fearful of becoming a burden to their children. It is not uncommon for parents not even to tell their children if they are hospitalized.

HEALTH

Early Warning Symptoms What’s normal aging and what’s not?

Here are some signs of troubling health issues that should never be ignored:

WEIGHT LOSS Small fluctuations in weight are normal, but if your parent has lost 5 to 10 percent of their weight in less than three months, that would be an indication of a potential issue. It might be a signal that your parent isn’t able to prepare meals or is having trouble getting to the store to purchase food.

If so, there might be a limited selection of food on hand or old, outdated food left in the refrigerator. Proper nutrition is important, and home care services can help.

MOBILITY ISSUES An increasing frequency of slips and falls, problems getting up and down stairs, difficulty walking steady on level ground and dizziness are causes for concern. The good news is transfer assistance and someone to help with household chores can prevent this problem from escalating into a severe—or even fatal—injury from a fall.

MULTIPLE ILLNESSES THAT REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION Many of the elderly go in and out of CONTROLLED HEALTH the hospital as they age, but they CONDITIONS THAT ARE GETTING need someone at home to help UNEXPECTEDLY WORSE them recover enough and become Your parent may be losing track of well enough to become independent medications, missing doses or not again. Obviously chronic conditions taking medication as prescribed. These like stroke, heart attack and an may be minor errors that are reducing amputation also require help. the medication’s effectiveness and DON’T FALL FOR IT worsening symptoms. But even Falls are the sixth leading cause of more severe mistakes may result in death in people ages 65 to 85. The dangerous drug interactions—and even hospitalization. “Poor medication odds of dying from a fall increase with age, making falls the fifth leading management is the number one cause of death in those over age 85. reason for leaving an independent living situation and going into Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supervised care,” according to Elinor Ginzler, coauthor of “Caring for Your Parents: The Complete AARP Guide.”

EARLY WARNING SYMPTOMS | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

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EMOTIONS

The Moody Cues The things that make us happy and fulfilled—connecting with other people, feeling useful and having fun—can seem to get more elusive with age. Watch and listen for these signs that your parent might be suffering from hopelessness, depression or other emotional issues: BECOMING A RECLUSE Signs include reluctance to leave the house, run usual shopping errands and visit friends and family, along with sleeping long periods and disinterest in usual favorite hobbies or activities. The companionship provided by home caregivers can keep your parent engaged and socially active.

UNEXPLAINED MOOD SWINGS Take note if everyday problems cause emotional outbursts or dramatic changes in mood or outlook.

DISPLAYS OF FEARFULNESS AND ANXIETY Putting off making doctor’s appointments, leaving the house, paying bills and/or meeting new people are all signs.

BEYOND THE BLUES Approximately 7 million Americans over age 65 suffer from depression and aren’t getting the help they need. Make sure your parent isn’t one of them by seeking help if they experience five or more of these symptoms of depression for more than two weeks, or if symptoms interfere with daily routines: • A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood • Sleeping too little or too much • Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions • Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

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THE MOODY CUES | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

• Fatigue or loss of energy • Restlessness or irritability • Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless • Persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment, including headaches, chronic pain, or constipation or other digestive disorders • Thoughts of death or suicide American Journal of Preventative Medicine

HOME ENVIRONMENT

A Parent Trap?

A parent’s home can be full of clues that they need some help around the house.

Be on the lookout for:

A HOME THAT’S IN NEED OF REPAIRS It can pose health hazards if your parent can’t recognize the need for basic maintenance on their home or isn’t able to schedule and supervise household repairs. Signs your parent may need some help include a lawn that’s not mowed, broken windows or screens that aren’t fixed, light bulbs that are not replaced or duct tape used on all repairs.

A CAR THAT’S GETTING NEW DINGS AND DENTS This may be a sign that driving safely is becoming an issue due to vision problems, delayed reaction time or confusion. Additional signs may include traffic violations, parking tickets, accidents, getting lost, losing keys and running out of gas.

A PILE OF LATE NOTICES OR UNPAID BILLS They may not be paying their bills, not because they don’t have money, but because they forget to write the check or misplace the bill when it arrives. Not paying their bills not only affects their credit, it’s also a sign they need some help around the house.

A PARENT TRAP? | SYNERGYHomeCare.com

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Sound familiar?

Recognizing these warning signs will allow you to plan ahead for your parents to stay safe and independent as long as possible.

If you recognize these subtle warning signs in your parent and would like a free home assessment or answers to your questions and concerns, visit us online at SYNERGYHomeCare.com.

Call 1.877.644.2373 to be connected to the office near you.

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