Holiday checklist for family of aging relatives

The holidays are often a time when family and friends visit their parents or other aging relatives whom they haven’t seen since the last holiday season.

And when they visit they discover their loved ones aren’t doing so well. Maybe mom and dad appear frail and their typically tidy house is in disarray. They might find unopened mail and bills tucked in a drawer. These can be the signs of declining health and triggers that mom and dad need some assistance to remain safely at home.

The Alzheimer’s Association has put together a checklist of things to look for that may signal help is needed:

Look in the fridge – Is the freezer full of TV dinners and the vegetable drawer empty? Has the milk gone sour? A quick scan can tell you whether your parents are still able to shop and prepare meals.

Take a peek at the mail – Unopened junk mail is nothing to worry about, but if personal mail is piling up it may be cause for concern.

Unpaid bills are a red flag that things may be getting out of control.

Drive the car – Ask your loved one if you can take the wheel at a family outing, and check under the hood when you get home. Are they keeping the oil changed? Are the tires low? Is there enough antifreeze to protect the vehicle?

Investigate the bathroom – The bathroom is one place where it’s hard to cover up if they’re having a tough time keeping the house clean. A quick once-over can tell you if your relatives need a little help with cleaning.

Take note of how the pets are doing –

And check the plants too. Your parents’ ability to care for other living things may offer clues to their ability to manage their own care.

Resources are available to help seniors remain healthy and safe at home. Aging & Adult Care of Central Washington offers home-delivered meals, personal emergency response buttons, in-home chore assistance, and respite for family caregivers. Programs are state and federally funded and intended to help low and middle-income seniors.

Aging & Adult Care covers Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln and Okanogan Counties. For more information call 1-800-572-4459 or visit our web site at http://aaccw.org.