The holidays are coming, and maybe it’s the first time you’ve seen your family in a year (or even 2 years thanks to the pandemic). If you’re visiting elderly family members, it’s important to be alert and observant. Many families get together during the holidays and notice a decline in their loved ones since their last gathering.

Senior living expert Lori Williams draws from her professional experience and offers 6 categories you should be aware of when visiting family. From your loved one’s physical health to the state of the home, there are different signs to look out for. For example, if your mother was always a neat freak and suddenly her house is a disaster, there might be a deeper issue going on.

You’ll learn what to look out for to ensure your family members’ wellbeing. Even if some details are concerning, it may not always mean it’s time for senior living, but it may just be time to step in and get help in place. Either way, you can plan the best course of action for their safety and happiness.

Takeaways from this episode: 

- When visiting your elderly loved ones, look at their physical appearance, emotional wellbeing, their home environment, finances, medical diagnoses, medications, and the ability to drive.

- Look out for changes that contradict how your loved ones used to be. If they’ve isolated themselves when they’re normally a social butterfly, it’s time to dig deeper.

- Seemingly random details can be a sign of dementia. Do they have moldy food in the fridge or burnt pots and pans? Have they bought 10 boxes of the same type of cereal?

- Check their medications for any expired bottles or potential interactions and side effects.

- Try taking a short drive with your loved one to see if they’re able to do so safely.

- If you go home and see your father can’t get up the stairs, there’s no food in the house, or things are in a bad state, don’t wait - call a senior living specialist.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Dangerous driving? How to have the conversation about giving up the keys:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/7943cd8a/045-dangerous-driving-how-to-have-the-conversation-about-giving-up-the-keys

A conversation about fall prevention:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/792ce4fd/020-a-conversation-about-fall-prevention-with-expert-jacque-archer

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Topics discussed: 

1. Signs of dementia