Holiday warning signs that your elderly loved one needs help 

“It is important to look for warning signs that your loved one is struggling and may not be able to live safely, totally on their own anymore,” said Bob Tucker, a qualified dementia care provider and co-owner of the Senior Helpers office serving the North and Northwest suburbs.

Are you noticing any of these issues this holiday season?

• Under or over-dosing medications

• Weight loss or gain, missing meals, dehydration

“Any of these things may indicate that some changes may be needed to keep your loved one safe, healthy and happy. You may need to discuss this with your loved one, which unfortunately can lead to tense conversions and hurt feelings,” said Abbie Tucker, a senior advocate and client services director and co-owner of the local Senior Helpers office. “A doctor visit may be called for, or at least a discussion of ideas to provide greater safety and assistance.”

Senior Helpers recommends carefully selecting a time and place separate from traditional family activities for a meeting.

Encourage discussion with the entire family and try to get everyone’s input so feelings are known and concerns voiced.

Plan for the next six months and then watch carefully how the plan is working. Circumstances often change, so it’s not possible to plan for an extended period of time — things may change even before the initial six month period ends.

Everyone at the meeting should commit to supporting the plan. Be sure to write the plan down so each person knows their responsibilities and accepts them.

If you are concerned about the health of a senior loved one and would like more information about how to help your loved one remain as safe, healthy and independent as possible, contact Bob Tucker at Senior Helpers at: (847) 564-7500 or email Bob at [email protected].

• Neglected hygiene — wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth

• Inappropriate/unusual behavior or simply a change in personality — loudness, paranoia, anger, confusion, delusions, hallucinations or withdrawal

• Recent burns, sores or injuries

• Unopened mail, newspaper piles, an unkept house or missed appointments

• Mishandled finances -losing money, paying bills twice or not at all, or hiding money or valuables in strange places

• Losing things, getting lost themselves, wandering

• Damage to the car, expired license plates or emissions testing

• Forgetfulness, especially short-term memory issues

“Any of these things may indicate that some changes may be needed to keep your loved one safe, healthy and happy. You may need to discuss this with your loved one, which unfortunately can lead to tense conversions and hurt feelings,” said Abbie Tucker, a senior advocate and client services director and co-owner of the local Senior Helpers office. “A doctor visit may be called for, or at least a discussion of ideas to provide greater safety and assistance.”

Senior Helpers recommends carefully selecting a time and place separate from traditional family activities for a meeting.

Encourage discussion with the entire family and try to get everyone’s input so feelings are known and concerns voiced.

Plan for the next six months and then watch carefully how the plan is working. Circumstances often change, so it’s not possible to plan for an extended period of time — things may change even before the initial six month period ends.

Everyone at the meeting should commit to supporting the plan. Be sure to write the plan down so each person knows their responsibilities and accepts them.

If you are concerned about the health of a senior loved one and would like more information about how to help your loved one remain as safe, healthy and independent as possible, contact Bob Tucker at Senior Helpers at: (847) 564-7500 or email Bob at [email protected].