Important discussions over the holidays

By Pamela K. Matura
Executive Director
Area Agency on Aging District 7

It’s the Holidays – and that time of the year where we look forward to visits and sharing time with family, friends and loved ones.

It’s also a time when our Agency likes to encourage families to spend time discussing important issues that might be affecting Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, or other family members or friends.

During this time, we encourage families to pay particular attention to situations that might alert you to a decline in health – maybe it is a family member, a special friend, or neighbor. If so, perhaps they might need some help and assistance to remain safe and independent at home? Our Agency is here to help you find resources in your community that may be available.

Read the list below to evaluate whether your loved ones may need some assistance in order to remain in their homes safely. If you notice that some of the statements ring true for your loved ones or friends, call the Area Agency on Aging District 7.

We can help identify resources in your community that may be available to help. Or, if you are a long distance caregiver living in our district and caring for someone outside our district, please feel free to also give us a call – we can find similar resources and assistance that are available in the area of the country where your loved ones reside.

Look for:

• A decline in personal hygiene. Your loved ones may not feel up to completing daily hygiene or may seem to be unaware of hygiene needs.

• Falls or near falls, with or without injury.

• Increased clutter in the home or a general lack of cleanliness of the living environment.

• Difficulty cooking or preparing meals. This can include problems following recipes or directions, burned food, lack of awareness of whether they have eaten, lack of appetite, or relying on “junk food” that requires no preparation.

• Difficulty managing finances. You may notice bills piled up but unpaid, overdue bills, overdrawn checking accounts, lack of budgeting.

• A general decline in physical health. They may have lost weight and appear more frail. You may notice bruising or other injuries, increased forgetfulness, or less stamina for daily activities.

Given the bad winter we experienced last year, we also encourage a check on the following items.

Talk about these with your older loved ones to make sure they feel prepared for the cold weather months:

• When was your relative’s furnace checked? Does it have fresh filters? If it uses propane or fuel oil, is the tank full? If not, top it off.

• Do they have a supply of salt? A snow shovel ready so that any home health workers coming to the home can safely clear a path to the door? Is there a relative or neighbor who can clear the path so that workers can access the home?

• Supply of “shelf ready” foods handy in case the power is off?

• Extra blankets stored and are they easily accessible?

• Ample supply of prescription meds?

• Neighbor or close relative designated to call during bad weather to check on older loved ones?

• A phone that will work when the power is off?

The Area Agency on Aging District 7 is available to provide information and answer questions about a number of care needs and options that are available. After speaking with a specially-trained nurse or social worker concerning your family member’s needs, an in-home consultation to assess your loved one’s situation can be provided at no cost to identify risks and determine what assistance or preventive measures could improve their quality of life. Call us toll-free at 1-800-582-7277.