Senior "Warning Signs:
 What To Watch For In The Elderly

If you are concerned about an older person, and if you see any of the warning signs below, it would be a good idea to look a little closer. Aging doesn't  inevitably result in forgetfulness or the inability to manage our personal care needs. So if your elder is showing signs of problems with coping with daily life there's a good chance something is going on. 

Whether your elder isn't feeling well, is becoming forgetful, or is possibly depressed, these signs tell us that things are not right.  

Forgetting a word or a name now and then isn't cause for worry. Plan to take action if you think there might be a pattern developing.

This is one time it's OK to snoop in the medicine cabinet. Looking at the prescription medications your elder is taking will tell you what the doctor is treating - and whether the pills are actually being taken. If there's a full bottle of pills dated some time ago you'll know the prescription got filled, but the medication isn't doing anyone any good in the cabinet. 

Unless you see something that's obviously dangerous, try not to jump in to "fix" things until you have a good idea of what, if anything, really needs to be fixed.  Trouble with managing around the house could be due to any one of a hundred things.  

Does your elder have arthritis that's making movement painful?  How long has it been since she had an eye exam and new glasses?  Does he hesitate to ask for a ride to the store or the post office, and so does without instead?  Has she always been messy and a little scatterbrained?

Talk with other family members if you can before you jump to conclusions.  Have others seen what you're seeing?  Are they concerned about the same things you are?  Have they already tried, with or without success, to do something?

Talk with the parent you're concerned about, quietly and privately.  Ask her what her concerns are.  Mention the one thing that concerns you most:  "Mom, it must be hard for you to get to the back of the refrigerator.  Can I give the 'fridge a good scrub while I'm here?"

If he or she hasn't seen a doctor in a while, the first step is to insist on a complete physical.  This may take more than one conversation if the doctor hasn't been a regular priority.  Often, people avoid seeing the doctor because they're afraid of bad news.  Make it a favor your parent can do for you:  "Dad, I won't be able to sleep well until I know you've seen Dr. Johnson.  Please, do it for me."

A little extra help now and then might solve whatever the problem is.  Sometimes just knowing that someone is coming every week or two to scrub the bathrooms and run the vacuum is enough.  Or, it might be time to start looking for more regular in-home help.  Don't jump to the conclusion that your parent needs to move out to supportive living right away...but it never hurts to have a look around your community to see what's available, just in case.

Geriatric Warning Signs

Is Your Elder Having Difficulty With...
____	Walking	____	Dressing
____	Eating	____	Bathing
____	Using the toilet	____	Managing medications
Have Personal Care Habits Changed?
____	Unclean clothing	____	Body odor
____	Mouth odor	____	Nails (hands & feet) unclean
____	Hair unwashed
Mental Warning Signs to Watch For
____	Repetitive questions  or stories	____	Easily angered
____	Verbally or physically abusive	____	Argues
____	"Loses" the right word	____	Cries easily
____	Forgets new information	____	Loss of Interest
____	Increased alcohol or drug use	____	Has gotten lost
____	Always wears the same clothes	____	Paranoid
Signs of Health Problems
____	Unusual weight loss	____	Unusual weight gain
____	Sleeps excessively	____	Has trouble sleeping
____	Poor eating habits	____	Lack of energy
____	Poor hearing	____	Pain when moving
____	Swollen legs, ankles, feet	____	Bruises
Warning Signs Around the House
____	House looks unclean	____	House smells musty or unclean
____	Exterior is unkempt	____	Refrigerator dirty
____	Spoiled food	____	Not much food in house
____	Food left out	____	Burns on the counters
____	Accumulated dirty dishes	____	Accumulated garbage or trash
____	Dead or dying houseplants	____	Obvious fire hazards
____	Stains or burns on or around a favorite chair or the bed
____	New dents in the car or garage walls
Daily Business
____	Unopened mail	____	Overdue bills
____	Illegible checkbook	____	Unfilled prescriptions
____	Lots of unread newspapers	____	Disorganized clutter
____	Large quantity of magazines and sweepstakes envelopes

After you have reviewed the warning signs, make a Home Safety Assessment to insure that your elders are as safe as possible in their home.