By Laure Anne Wilbert
Administrator, Red Oak Residence
The holiday season is one of the few times that families get together. That may be both a wake-up moment when people realize an elderly loved one needs help, and an opportunity to get everyone on the same page, strategize and make a plan to care for an aging relative.
So, perhaps this year, your family has the opportunity to gather around the kitchen table for both treats and a talk.
Each year, Red Oak Residence in North Bend gets phone calls from families who are shocked to come home to an elderly relative who is not at his or her best. Maybe they walked into a messy house, found unpaid bills and odd items in the fridge. The joy of the season gets marred with the realization that someone you care for is struggling.
Here are 10 clues that warn that a senior needs help.
• Poor eating habits resulting in weight loss, no appetite or missed meals.
• Neglected hygiene—wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth
• Neglected home—it’s not as clean as you remember
• Inappropriate behavior—acting loud or quiet, paranoid or making phone calls at all hours
• Changed relationship patterns that friends or neighbors have noticed
• Injuries resulting from weakness, forgetfulness or misuse of medication
• Decreased participation in activities such as church or the senior center
• Scorched pots and pans that indicate forgetfulness when cooking
• Unopened mail, missed appointments, stacks of unread newspapers, scattered medications
• Mishandled finances such as losing money, paying bills twice, hiding money or falling prey to fraudulent scam callers or mailings
Recognizing the warning signs that someone you care about needs extra help gives you the ability to be proactive. Establish a plan for taking a more active role in the person’s life, and begin researching opportunities to assist that person.
Staff at Red Oak have worked with hundreds of families and seniors as part of that process, in addition to providing a social, supportive environment with 24-hour access to services. They understand this is a difficult transition. Being proactive will give both you and your loved one control over your options, rather than responding to a crisis.
Give yourself the gift of control, a plan, and if Red Oak can help, give them a call.
• Contact Laure Anne Wilbert at Red Oak Residence, by calling (425) 888-7108.
