December 11, 2017
Living far away from family makes it hard to spend time with our older loved ones as frequently as we’d like, but during the holiday season, families make it a priority to spend quality time together – making it the perfect occasion to examine an older adult’s safety and wellbeing. There are numerous warning signs that cannot be spotted in weekly phone calls, e-mails, or even through Skype, but which often become very clear when the family gathers together for the holiday season.
The professional St. Louis home care team at Continuum advocates asking yourself the following questions to identify if there are any senior safety dangers that really need to be further explored:
Home Concerns:
- Do you notice a change in the level of cleanliness of the home?
- Are you noticing a build-up of clutter, such as stacks of mail and magazines?
- Are food items in the fridge and cabinets fresh?
- Are there scorch or burn markings on pans, counters, or anywhere else in the kitchen?
- Is the home being kept at a comfortable temperature?
Physical Concerns:
- Has the older person gained or lost body weight?
- Has overall personal hygiene decreased?
- Do you notice any bruises, scratches, or other injuries?
- Does the senior family member seem to be dealing with issues with strength or balance?
- Are all essential medical aids being appropriately used and in good condition, such as eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids?
Monetary Concerns:
- Are there collection notices, bills that have gone unpaid, telephone messages from debt collectors?
- Do bank account statements include any questionable withdrawals?
- Is the individual short on any necessities?
- Is the senior family member receiving – and reacting inappropriately to – solicitation telephone calls or mailings?
- Are there any added names listed on bank statements that could suggest potential fraud?
If these or any other warning flags are picked up on, a beneficial starting point is to make an appointment with the senior’s physician to resolve any potential health issues. Then, contact Continuum for help in resolving a variety of issues related to aging at home, like food preparation, light housework, transportation to doctors’ appointments, caring companionship to reduce isolation and loneliness, and much more.
Serving the St. Louis area, it is the mission of Continuum to keep seniors safe, healthy, and thriving at home. Our caregiving staff are thoroughly screened, interviewed, and background checked to ensure peace of mind for families, and trained and experienced in a variety of aspects of senior care. Call us at (314) 863-9912 for a free in-home meeting to find out how we can best meet your loved one’s unique needs.