Visiting elderly relatives during the holiday season? Four things to look for

 The holidays are upon us and that means visits with elderly relatives are sure to be on the to-do list of many people.

Visiting elderly relatives during the holidays can be a funand rewarding time, but it can also be a great way to check in and make sure your family member is living his or her best – and healthiest – life.

 If you haven’t seen your elderly relatives in a while, it’sa great time to check in, make sure everything is running smoothly and that aging in place (or living alone) is still a good idea.

So, what should you be on the lookout for? Here are four things to consider:

Disrepair or lack of cleanliness

Take a good, hard look at your elderly relative’s living space. Is it well-kept? Clean and tidy? Are there broken toilets or appliances,peeling paint, neglected landscaping? If your formerly meticulous mother has ahouse that is now seemingly a hot mess, it might be time to look into eithergetting her some help or begin talking about assisted living options.

Bills and mail

 One sign that your elderly relatives aren’t able to live independently is that they can no longer manage – or have trouble managing – their mail and bills.If you notice mail piled up, unsorted, and bills that are unpaid – or past due –it’s time to have a gentle discussion about it.

Mood and health

If your elderly relatives seem edgy, moody, depressed or grumpy, that’s a sign that living alone is no longer a great idea. You knowthem best: If they don’t seem like their normal, happy and chatty selves, there  could be mental or physical health issues that need to be addressed.

Also, if they don’t seem to be able to perform basic hygiene tasks or are wearing dirty or stained clothes, those are also warning signs.

Vehicles

If your elderly relatives still drive, take a good look atthe vehicle or vehicles. If there are dents, scratches or other damage to the car, that might mean he or she is having fender benders or trouble navigating around.

Abbington Assisted Living

If you notice any of these signs, we are here to help. Contact us today!