164. Replay: 7 Red Flags to look for During Holiday Visits with Senior Family Members

It’s common to go home for the holidays, reconnect with parents or older relatives, and notice some worrying changes in their lifestyle or behavior. Maybe your mother is falling more often - or maybe she’s forgetting important information.

Some of your concerns may have easy fixes -like a walker- while others need a more thoughtful conversation, such as rethinking their living situation.

In this week's episode, I'm sharing 7 clues to look for when you’re home visiting your family so you’re aware of growing issues in their old age that require investigation. Once you’ve identified these red flags, there are helpful approaches to learn more and form a plan. Through it all, it’s important to be compassionate and let your loved ones know your involvement is for their safety and independence.

Takeaways from this episode:

- Your loved ones may not be open about their circumstances because they don’t want to worry you, don’t want to be a burden, fear the loss of independence, or are embarrassed.

- Pay attention to them physically: If they appear to have had rapid weight loss, their personal hygiene has worsened, they’re bruised, or their walk/gait has changed.

-Examine their surroundings: Were they 'clean freaks' in the past and now they’re suddenly messy? Is their fridge filled with spoiled food? Is their car battered and beat up?

- Establish that you’re on your loved one’s side and that you’ll work through any problems together. Approach Is everything - don’t judge, scold, or preach!

-It may help to have difficult discussions with another family member or trusted advisor present, like a doctor or pastor.

- Open communication so that you’re able to create a to-do list, knowing important factors like your loved one’s health conditions, debts, accounts, health insurance policies, and so on.

Topics from this episode:

- Senior living / assisted living

- Starting a conversation about memory care

- Clues your parents need care

- Senior nutrition

- Helping seniors

- Memory loss

- Conversations about loss of independence

- Keeping seniors safe and independent

- Difficult discussions with seniors

- When seniors should stop driving

- Medical discussions with older parents