Home for the Holidays? 6 Changes to Look For

Are you seeing a friend or older relative for the holidays?  When visiting someone you haven’t seen in a while, you may be concerned about some changes you notice. Aren’t sure if the changes are memory loss related? Here are some things to keep an eye out for:

1. Finances not in order:  Look around for unpaid bills or piles of mail. While you are visiting, there may also be a call from a collections agency. Keep in mind, too, that older adults are often the targets for scammers both by phone. Mail, and email. Keep an eye on the type of communications coming in and make sure you’re aware of the latest scams.
   

2. Less participation in social activities:  Are they still going to activities that they’ve always engaged in like Wednesday afternoon bridge club or morning church services? It may be a lack of transportation - perhaps they’re more concerned about driving, or there are no transportation options. Or it may be indicative of something broader, like cognitive issues that are making it difficult to coordinate the activity. Remaining engaged in activities and the community that comes with them are important for maintaining mental acuity as we age.
   

3. Sticky notes all over: We all leave ourselves sticky notes. However, when the sticky notes start appearing in places they’ve never been before, this may be an indicator that the issue is worsening. If you aren’t sure, Seabury’s Care Managers can help you determine if there’s a memory issue and assist your family or friend as plans are made to address the progression of dementia or related illnesses.
   

4. Unexplained dents or scrapes on the car: Are there new dents or scrapes on the car? There are resources that will assess the driving skills of older adults. The goal is to make sure older adults are driving safely and have the support necessary to do so.
   

5. Housekeeping lacking or refrigerator a mess:  Is a normally neat and tidy house looking less like the home you remember? Is the refrigerator full of half eaten or expired and rotting food? Or is there no food at all?  The explanation may be simple, or it may be time to coordinate some in-home services that can assist. A Care Manager can evaluate what services are needed and coordinate delivery to their home.
   

6. Forgetting to take medications or the pill tray is clearly not being managed well: For example, it’s Thursday; however, Monday and Wednesday pills are gone but Tuesday’s pills are still in the box. Or mom puts out her medication to take at breakfast and it’s still on the table at dinner time. It may be time to find a little oversight to ensure things are managed. A Care Manager can assist.

Seabury’s Care Management & Life Enrichment Team are here to assist families and friends with either crisis or long-term planning. If you have a question, please call the Helpline at (202) 364-0020 or email cminfo@seaburyresources.org.