Your Retirement Living Connection

• Recent health problems
• Serious side effects from medications
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Repeated falls (bruises on arms and legs can be an indicator)
• Neglected hygiene
• Incontinence

Cognitive/ Orientation Signs:

• Memory lapses
• Impaired thinking
• Impaired communication (verbal or written)
• Unaware of person, place, and time
• Inability to account for time

Behavioral Signs:

• Aggressiveness or abusiveness
• Isolation
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Neglected appearance
• Lethargy or apathy
• Any other drastic change in routine

Financial Signs:

• Not paying bills on time
• Unable to balance check book
• Not able to account for spending

Daily Living Signs:

• Trouble grocery shopping
• Difficultly cooking, eating, or using appliances safely
• Less frequent or poor house cleaning
• Difficulty bathing
• Poor mobility
• Needs help dressing
• Cannot drive a car or use public transportation safely
• Check the automobile for any new dents or fresh paint from a repair

A few safety considerations to think about if you want to be proactive:

Home Safety Tips:

• Add handrails or grab bars in the bathroom
• Invest in an emergency response system
• Check for adequate lighting (seniors need 30% more light to see)
• Remove scatter or throw rugs and minimize clutter
• Buy a cordless phone for them to carry with them in the house
• Consider widening doorways and adding a ramp to the home entrance

Caregiving Tips is reproduced with the permission of Solutions for Seniors®