checking in with mom and dad over the holidays

Traveling home to visit your parents over the holidays can be one of the most special experiences of the year. But going over the hill and through the woods to Grandma’s house isn’t just a festive experience: it offers you a chance to see first-hand how mom and dad are doing.

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The National Alliance for Caregiving estimates that 7,000,000 Americans care for a loved one from a distance. As the population of older adults in the United States skyrockets, this number will grow along with it.



If you don’t see your elderly loved ones regularly, when you drop by for the

holidays, you may be surprised at the changes you observe in their mental

status and physical ability. While you are at home, use the following checklist

to evaluate how your loved ones are doing living independently.



• Do they repeat themselves frequently? • Do they seem agitated, anxious, or depressed? • Do they laugh at old stories and visit old friends, or have they become more antisocial?

Are your loved ones acting differently?



How is their health?• Have they lost weight? Weight loss can be a sign of illness and/or malnourishment, and should be brought to a physician’s attention. • Are they unstable on their feet or holding onto furniture to walk? • Do they report falling? • Do they recognize that they need to use a cane, walker, or bathroom grab bars?



• Do they appear clean?• Do they dress like they always have? • Are they drinking more alcohol?• Are their prescriptions current? • Do they identify a need for help with a bath? Look for bruising.

Are they taking care of themselves?

• What kind of shape is the checkbook in? • Are any of the checks to people or organizations you are unfamiliar with? • Do you find unpaid or delinquent bills in the desk?



Are they in control of their finances?



Are they in control of domestic life?• Are messages left on the answering machine? • Is there fresh, nutritious food in the cupboard and refrigerator? • Are smoke detectors working correctly? • Is the microwave oven clean? • Are there burn marks anywhere?



Side note: Now is a good time to do minor upkeep on your parents’ home. Replace all the batteries while you are home. Check the electrical outlets for burning and remove extension cords. Replace open, electrical space heaters. Place them away from furniture.



Here for you and your family throughout the entire holiday season.

checking in with mom and dad over the holidays

Health & Medicine

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elderly loved ones

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electrical outlets

old stories

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