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Age-Related Decline. Look for the warning signs.

• Posted on Dec 7, 2021

For many families, a holiday visit is a perfect opportunity to see your aging loved one in person, so it’s important to pay close attention to their physical and mental health and their living situation.

Here are just a few signs to look for when visiting:

State of the home. Does the home seem unorganized, dirty dishes in the sink, or several things out of place? Is the mail being ignored?  If your loved one is forgetting to clean up or doesn’t have the motivation, or physically can’t, the concern is real.

Physical appearance. Like an unusually messy house, a common sign that your loved one’s health may be declining is bad hygiene. Are they physically having issues getting in and out of the shower?

Not making sound decisions. Is your loved one suddenly doing some unusual or unsafe things? Situations could include leaving the stove on all night to warm the house or going for a walk without a jacket in winter. Keep an eye out for strange behavior that is accompanied by bad decisions.

The loneliness factor. Is there something different about your aging loved one’s mood? Do they seem less interested in activities they previously loved? Are they leaving the house less frequently?

Age-related decline can happen quickly, and, in many cases, seniors are determined to conceal or downplay any new or worsening problems they may be having. Use this time together over the holidays to keep your eyes open and act quickly, if needed.  Discover a world of possibilities at Germantown Home. Please contact Alison Corter at acorter1@newcourtland.org or call 215-951-4210 to learn more about our state-of-the-art accommodations and services.