Evaluating Your Loved One's Needs for Help

Is your loved one having trouble managing daily tasks, such as getting to appointments, understanding instructions, or managing finances? The need for additional support in older adults may emerge gradually. To assess their health, safety, and quality of life, consider the following indicators:

• Mobility

  • Notice if they are shuffling or dragging their feet.

  • Check for difficulty in maintaining balance, especially when spreading their feet far apart.

• Depression

  • Look for changes in energy levels, including increased irritability or anger.

  • Difficulty sleeping, or changes in eating habits, either eating more or less than usual.

• Money Matters

  • Observe if there are stacks of unopened mail, unpaid bills, uncashed checks, or key documents that have been neglected.

• Driving

  • Check for scratches or dings on their car.

  • Note if they often forget how they arrived at a location.

• Changes in Appearance

  • Wearing the same clothes repeatedly, neglecting personal hygiene like cutting nails, having matted hair, or an odor from not bathing.

• Life at Home

  • Look for spoiled food in the refrigerator, reuse of towels, soiled sheets, or a smell of urine throughout the house.

• Medication Management

  • Check the dates on pill bottles to ensure medications are being taken as directed and refilled on time.

Recognizing these signs is crucial as they indicate it may be time to seek help. One effective solution is Adult Day Programs, which offer socialization, exercise, well-balanced meals, engaging activities, physical therapy, and more. These programs provide numerous benefits and can significantly improve the quality of life for your loved one.