Holiday Reflections: Did you ‘Notice the Need?’
I hope everyone enjoyed the Holidays! I'm sure most of us are deep into working toward our 2019 goals and setting the tone for the rest of the year. But one thing you might want to reflect on when you can is this: If you visited older loved ones over the Holidays, how did they seem?
Were they a little forgetful, or were their driving skills as sharp as they used to be? There are any number of signs that nag at us and indicate “things aren’t the same.”
We call it “noticing the need” and it eventually affects all families.
I encourage you to reflect and see if you recall any of these four signs:
1. Physical appearance and hygiene. Has your loved one lost weight? Are there any bruises or cuts? Was their home as clean and tidy as usual? Pay attention to all of these factors, especially as they relate to the way they normally have presented themselves in the past.
2. Memory. All of us can be forgetful at times, but when it involves safety issues (like leaving a pan on a hot stove or locking oneself outside of the house), then there may be more to consider. If forgetfulness is combined with changes in thinking or demeanor, it may mean that further action – including a trip to the doctor – may be necessary.
3. Motor skills. Balance is a key indicator, along with evidence of falls (again, those cuts and bruises as mentioned above). With more than 2.5 million seniors treated for fall injuries each year, a decline in motor skills can be a very serious issue.
4. Mood. What does your loved one talk about? Do they have friends? Do they seem happy?
In our business, we call it "noticing the need."
If you observed any of these factors with your loved one, talk with other family members, friends and neighbors to see if they’ve noticed the same things and have them look for changes, too.
Depending on the issue, you can then begin to do some research on finding a solution to keep your loved one safe. It could be something like a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) device, finding an activity to keep your loved one engaged or maybe it’s even contacting a local in-home care agency such as Home Helpers? Home Care.
If you noticed the need, it's important that you have a conversation with your loved one and get their thoughts and feelings. Start the conversation with your loved one when you first start noticing any of the factors above and really listen to their response. Keep the conversation going and allow them to keep their dignity and participate in finding solutions so they may maintain their independence for as long as safely possible.