Many of you will be visiting older relatives during the upcoming holiday season. It may have been a just a month or perhaps it has been a year since you have last seen them. Either way, family gatherings provide a unique environment where you may be able to spot clues of your loved one’s progression in aging. Here we will highlight some things you might notice that could indicate a decline in their health.i
How do I know if the clues should be concerning?
Radical change
For any of the signs discussed in this article, a departure from that person’s typical ability or behavior means there may be a significant change in health status. For example, a messy household might be that person’s normal state, but finding moldy food in the fridge might be out of the ordinary and reason to cause concern. Some changes are gradual and noticing a difference can be difficult. As you share memories and stories from yesteryear during the holiday season, reflect on your older relatives’ actions in the stories from their past to now. Perhaps you will notice a distinct difference. (Or maybe not!)
Disrupts Daily Life
So many of the signs discussed in this article are part of a normal aging process. However, if the change you notice appears to be disruptive to your loved one’s daily life, that may cause concern.
What clues might I notice?
Limited Mobility
Sometimes an older adult’s limited mobility is obvious: it is more difficult to get up and down stairs or in and out of a chair. At a lengthy family gathering, it is likely that these types of physical actions cannot be avoided and you’ll be able to notice if they are struggling. However, some early signs of limited mobility could be that your older loved one is not ready on time, their home is unusually untidy or dirty, or they have more bruises or scrapes from falls they have not told you about or they do not remember.
More frequent illnesses
Noticing that your older relative is sick again might mean their overall health is in decline. This could be because they are not taking care of themselves well enough, or they just need a higher level of medical care. Consider that there could be challenges to receiving additional care, such as finding a specialist doctor that is in-network. The assistance from a trusted family member to overcome those specific obstacles may be all that is needed.
Hygiene
A decline in an older adult’s hygiene may be one of the more obvious signs. Consider that the decline could be due to the stress of the day or the change in routine. However, it could also be because keeping up with their hygiene is too physically exhausting or because they cannot keep track of their recent actions. Some physical changes also occur with new medications, so determining the cause for a decline in hygiene may be challenging.
Forgetfulness
We are all scatterbrained at times, especially when there is a lot going on, as is true during the holiday season. If your older loved one’s friends or neighbors are around, it might be worthwhile to ask them to describe your family member’s forgetfulness on a typical day. You may also jot down the thing they forgot and the time of day, as this detailed information can help you track their progression over time, and may be extremely helpful information for a neurologist in the future.
Change in Personality
Big family functions bring out the best in all of us – right? Truly, though, your older loved ones will likely try to mask any shortcomings, or mask those of a declining spouse. So, if you notice an older relative acting more irritable, or more quickly losing their temper, this could be a sign of cognitive change, especially if they are attempting to mask other cognitive deficits. This is not an advertisement to attempt to create an emotional outburst. Also, ask specific questions about their recent social engagements. If you notice a loss of interest in activities or people they once loved, this could also be cause for concern.
Change in Relationships
Be aware of whether changing relationships are necessary due to the death of close friends. Isolation and loneliness are very common among older adults and can lead to concerning mental health.
“Red Herrings” that may look like declining health
Some of the signs mentioned above may be caused by an acute condition that once solved, can greatly increase quality of life and overall health. Hearing and vision loss can manifest as cognitive decline, but once your loved one can hear or see more clearly, they are able to keep up with conversation and once again respond appropriately, improving many relationships and aspects of their lives. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can also cause confusion, memory loss and balance issues which are improved when the infection is properly treated. Additionally, lack of sleep can contribute to many of the issues described above. If your older loved one is traveling, if they are hosting, or if they have recently started a new medication, they could be losing sleep due to stress, anxiety or side effects.
One person is not going to notice every possible sign of declining health. Collectively, however, the family may catch most of the warning signs. If such a conversation can be productive, a de-brief with family after the holidays may be a good idea.
If you’re wondering what your next steps should be, stay tuned for an article on this topic in an upcoming issue of InComplete Thoughts!
Footnotes: We do not practice medicine at Complete Estate & Probate Law. The information contained in this article is meant to be informational only. We derive our information from trustworthy sources (which are listed below) and from our vast experience working with older adults and their families. If anything you notice during the holidays concerns you, use your best judgment as to whether medical attention to that concern is necessary, rather than relying on our recommendations.
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Sources used in the creation of this article were: Mayo Clinic
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National Institute on Aging
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AARP
