Did your last visit to your parents or other elderly family member leave you with cause for concern regarding their health? The pandemic crisis and the accompanying isolation may have also furthered the deterioration of their wellbeing. The decline in physical and cognitive states that comes with age can be difficult to detect, and hesitancy on the part of the elderly to open up, while being completely understandable, does not make the task any easier.
Determining when to get help for the elderly can seem tricky. Caring for them without impacting or even snatching away their sense of independence and freedom involves walking a fine line. The best way to figure it out is to patiently observe their behaviours, residence and any new habits they might have picked up.
Listed below is a list of warning signs to look out for in the elderly. The emergence of one or more may signify an urgent need to take action.
An abrupt change in personality.
Pay close attention to the elderly’s mood and overall personality. It is important to note that moodiness, changes in personality and antisocial behaviours can stem from neurological conditions such as dementia. Thus, the appearance of a drastically different personality or outlook is considered to be a major indicator of deteriorating health in elders.
The avoidance of activities they’ve always enjoyed, a rapid back and forth between happy and sad, or even a sudden boost in confidence and spirits that turns someone who has always been rather introverted into an outgoing individual – these may all be worrying signs and warrant a consultation with your trusted doctor.
An excessively messy home.
Have you noticed the elderly’s previously well organised home become cluttered and disheveled? Things such as unwashed laundry and dishes in the sink, unopened stacks of mail, food in the fridge that went bad a while ago, all point toward an inability to tend to the home and keep up with the pressures of their daily routine.
While visiting, look out for scotch marks on pans, which could mean food being left to cook for far too long, a troubling occurrence that could place the elderly in serious peril. Maybe they can’t muster the motivation to clean up after themselves, or perhaps aren’t physically able to do so, but either way, it’s a matter of concern.
Loss of weight and appetite.
If the elderly has resorted to poor eating habits, or their appetite has significantly decreased, that can be a sign of deteriorating health. They may lose interest in cooking or eating because they’ve lost their sense of taste or smell, which severely dampens their eating experience.
Sometimes, elderly may also have difficulty shopping for groceries due to social inhibitions or financial strain. It is essential to keep an eye on the elderly’s eating habits and weight as it can also indicate an underlying condition, such as depression, cancer or malnutrition.
Forgetfulness.
While moderate forgetfulness in the elderly is common, caused by aging or side effects of the medication they’re on, excessive memory loss can be deeply discomfiting and dangerous. This includes getting lost or disoriented in places familiar to them, inability to follow simple instructions and asking the same question over and over again, or mixing up people and time.
If their memory problems start to disrupt their daily life, it’s time to take a closer look. In that case, a trusted doctor should be consulted.
Difficulty in getting around.
Take note of any mobility problems the elderly might be facing, such as reluctance to walk usual distances, sitting around longer, not going out as much and difficulty in walking up and down the stairs.
Persisting issues like muscle weakness, body ache and joint pain can make moving around a daunting proposition for the elderly.
If the elderly seems a bit wobbly on their feet, walking with a cane or walker could provide some relief and prevent possible falls – the cause of disability among so many elders.
Unkempt appearance and bad hygiene.
Appearing unkempt with dirty clothing, failing to maintain personal hygiene such as bathing and brushing teeth could be the result of cognitive decline, depression or physical impairment. This could mean that they have lost the drive to clean up, or their body is too weak to get in and out of the shower.
Consulting the doctor becomes imperative if their hygiene continues to worsen, as it is a sure sign that something is greatly bothering the elderly.
Making insensible and unsafe decisions.
A decline in cognitive functioning could see the elderly making rash choices that they wouldn’t have made before. Small signs such as choosing to brave the winter air without a jacket, or using the stove to get heat, are example of strange and extremely dangerous choices that your elderly could end up making.
In such cases, it might be time to take utmost caution, stop them from performing potentially harmful activities such as driving, and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Getting ill frequently.
If the elderly seems more prone to minor illnesses and is getting sick ever so often, providing them with proper care in the right time becomes essential.
Though the illnesses might seem insignificant, consulting a doctor quickly is the right step to identify problems early and manage the string of illnesses before a major illness affects them.
Caring for the elderly involves a lot of stress and can certainly be very overwhelming, especially if it turns into a full-time responsibility.
It is important to stay healthy yourself if you’re caring for someone else. Take breaks and divide tasks with your family so that the pressure does not get the better of you. Getting professional help from caregivers can make all the difference, ensuring that all their needs are tended to and that you can remain present and active in their lives to share good moments with them.