Elderly Warning Signs to Watch For

You have just returned from a family gathering over the holidays. After having some time to de-brief, you and your siblings noticed some changes in or around your parents and their living environment. Sometimes, these changes are tell-tale signs that your elderly parents are needing some assistance in decision-making, and managing the household in a normal manner.

— You heard complaints about your parents not having enough money
Perhaps household money is tight. After all, many of today’s seniors are living on a fixed income of social security and perhaps a work related pension. With increased cost of living, health care costs, tax increases, etc., this amount of money doesn’t cover enough. Have you noticed a lifestyle adjustment in your parents? Are there home repairs that are going without repair? Or other expenses? Perhaps it is time to have a discussion regarding their understanding of their own finances.

–Or, you noticed a spending splurge of purchases
On the opposite extreme, your parents mentioned some ongoing and uncharacteristic spending splurges on expenses such as household items (appliances) or entertainment and vacationing. Their irrational spending may be clues to signs of memory loss and or impaired judgment (dementia). The rational splurge for a trip of a lifetime is understandable. But outlandish spending may be a warning sign on cognitive functioning.

–Scam/fraud alert: Are they buying things they don’t need?
Many elderly parents fall prey to unwanted telemarketing calls, or “junk” mail solicitation promising sweepstakes winnings, or “too good to be true” investment deals. My mother always liked to pick-up the phone, and she always committed donations giving to the caller group. One year, we counted over 150 donations! (Fortunately, most were worthy and legitimate.) A phone call to a lonely senior presents a lifeline…to talk to someone! Almost all unscrupulous callers will not leave a voice message. Encourage your elderly parents to let unfamiliar calls go to voice mail.

–Daily living and household tasks seem to be ignored
Is fresh food available in the house? Are prescriptions out of date and still being consumed? Does the house have heating/cooling, plumbing, or electrical issues that are not being addressed? Are your elderly parents able to keep up with these daily realities? Are their senses of sight and hearing still working?

Don’t ignore ignore signs that something may be wrong, or abnormal. Don’t allow health, safety, or happiness to be compromised.

JD Miller

About JD Miller

John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. Phone: (781) 378-2164 Email: [email protected] Website: https://homecarepartnersma.com
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