Medical events such as a heart attack, a stroke, or an accident are clear indications that the senior will be needing support with their daily living indefinitely. If they also have any other disease or condition, that should also become evident in the process. However, it’s not always as simple as that and sometimes, an elder’s need for assistance only comes to light at a point where their loved ones are left with very little to do.
Next, we will be focusing on a few key signs that every family member should keep an eye out for. Seeing them and acting accordingly can help prevent tragic events and might allow the elder to live a much healthier and happier life soon after.
Weight Loss
It is recommended that seniors stay fit and maintain a healthy, lean weight to keep most age-related medical conditions at bay. However, there is a stark difference between someone who is losing weight through planning and someone who is losing weight due to malnutrition.
If the elder did not plan the weight loss actively and you can still notice the difference clearly, it most likely indicates amnesia. They are simply forgetting to eat and drink in the regular manner that they are supposed to. They might not notice something is wrong by themselves either.
Consult with a doctor immediately and arrange for them to have the assistance they need to eat, drink, and live an overall better life. For those living nearby, this assisted living community for seniors in Dallas, Texas comes well recommended. If they are diagnosed with dementia of any kind, they are no longer fit to live alone and unassisted.
Personality Shifts
Our personality does change to some extent quite naturally with age and that is to be expected. However, if you note an abrupt change in their personality and behavior, that is always to be taken as a cause for concern.
There is no definite course of change that can be applied universally to this phenomenon. The signs vary depending on the underlying condition, psychological factors, medical factors, environmental factors, brain structure, original personality, etc. What is to be taken for granted is that they need immediate assistance and medical attention.
Look out for uncharacteristic mood swings, hoarding tendencies, and a remarkable change in their communication style. Book an appointment with their physician for a medical checkup at the earliest convenience to figure out the problem.
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression in seniors can be and often is accompanied by several other diseases that may or may not have anything to do with age. In any case, if you find your beloved family member to have grown increasingly gloomy over the years, it’s a sign that they should not be left alone to fend for themselves anymore.
It is important to acknowledge the fact that loneliness and depression can be just as debilitating as any medical disorder. The fact that seniors often experience both simultaneously only makes the situation more urgent.
Check out the infographic below for more tips to care for your elderly loved ones.
Infographic provided by TargetLeads, a Medicare lead mailing company
