Getting Involved with Aging Family and Friends...

 The following is courtesy of Home Helpers of Lake Norman & Central NC.  Visit our website at www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445 , or call us at 704.909.7958 .


    As people age, there are some considerations that family members should consider to determine if a loved one may need some assistance with daily activities.  Most people facing challenges with day to day activities won't ask for help, as they place a very high value on their independence and privacy.  Also, most people do not want to feel like a burden to their family or friends.
  The following list was created to help you quickly assess a loved one's condition, and to identify areas of concern.  If you find that someone you know has a challenge with even one of the following items, it may be time to take a more active role in their life.  Chances are, your loved one may be struggling unnecessarily, and by taking a proactive approach, you can avoid having a small challenge become something major.

1. Medical condition - Has the person been diagnosed with an illness or condition that could affect their functional ability and daily living?
2. Driving - Are you concerned about their driving ability for any reason?  For instance, how is their hearing, sight, or reflexes?
3. Food/Nutrition - Are your loved ones eating healthy meals?  Is their weight stable?  Often, as meal preparation becomes more difficult, the quality of the diet deteriorates.
4. Hygiene - How does your loved one look and smell, including their breath?  What about their overall appearance? Are they able to manage the laundry?
5. Behavior - Does your loved one seem irritable or anxious?  Does being away from home make them uncomfortable?
6. Daily Tasks - Do basic tasks seem to be more and more difficult?  IE: shopping, meal preparation, cleaning.
7. Medication - Can you loved ones manage their prescriptions?  Are you worried that they aren't getting their medicines at the proper times and in the correct amounts?
8. Finances - Do your loved ones struggle managing bills and finances?
9. Mail - Does the mail seem to just stack up?  Are bills becoming delinquent?  Do solicitors seem to be calling frequently?
10. Safety - Do your loved ones forget to turn off the stove, coffee pot, etc?  Do they remember to close and lock doors and windows?

  Regardless of a person's age, it's often unclear to family and friends when it's time to take a more active role in the life of a loved one.  If any of the above 10 items seem to give you pause for thought, perhaps it's time for you to become more involved.  If you have a concern with only 1 area, chances are, that person is struggling.  Trust your instincts and take action.  There are often simple things that can be done to provide assistance and Make Life Easier for the ones you care for.   

Glenn Holden - Home Helpers & Direct Link of LKN and Central NC
www.homehelpers.cc/lkn58445