ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF AN OLDER ADULT
Adults with aging relatives or neighbors often wonder, “When should I start to worry? What should I be looking
for?” Here are some things to look for when visiting, that may give you a hint that help is needed. For many of
these questions, all you have to do is keep your eyes open. Other issues, like money management, may
require more careful and tactful questioning.
In general, you are looking for signs of change from past behavior -- are they behaving differently from their
past normal patterns? If you do notice a problem, talk it over with the older adult first, expressing your
concern in a tactful, nonjudgmental way. Express your concern, but don’t over-react. Depending on what you
hear, you may also need to talk to other family members, close friends, or the older adult’s physician.
Remember that there could be a variety of explanations for many of these problems, including simple loss of
mobility, physical limitations, chronic pain, vision or other sensory losses, confusion due to medication
problems, depression, or possibly dementia. Help may be needed, but the person may still be able to
continue living independently once problems are identified and supports are in place. Don’t panic!
Driving:
Driving skill can be an early casualty due to vision loss, early-stage dementia, or other neurological problems
that impair concentration.
•Look at the car. Any recent dents or scrapes?
•Let them drive when you go somewhere that is familiar to them. Do you feel safe? Any close calls or
unusual variations in speed? Any signs of confusion about where to go?
Mail:
A casual glance around can sometimes be very telling in terms of lost organizational skills or possible
depression or anxiety that results in avoidance.
•Is there a stack (or many stacks) of unsorted mail?
•Are bills and other important correspondence mixed in with outdated junk mail?
•Are there an unusual number of sweepstakes entry forms or charitable or political solicitation letters?
(This can be a hint that an older adult is being taken in by fraudulent or deceptive marketing or has
been responding to telephone solicitations for money.)
Paying bills and managing money:
This can be a little harder without asking prying questions or looking at bank statements, but you may see
evidence or hear stories about services getting cut off, or hassles with the bank.
•Are the utility bills getting paid on time? Rent or mortgage payments?
•Is the checkbook balanced?
•Any signs of overdrafts?
•Are there a lot of credit card bills? Are payments being made?
Housekeeping:
Remember, you’re looking for evidence of significant change from past behavior, so if Dad was always sloppy,
the fact that he doesn’t live up to your personal standards isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, if
Mom, the perfect housekeeper, now doesn’t seem to care that the dishes are piling up in the sink, it’s time to
ask questions.
•Is the home reasonably clean?
•Have there been major changes in the level of cleanliness?
•Are there strong odors in the home?
•Is laundry getting done regularly? Do their clothes seem clean? Do they wear the same clothes all the
time?
•Is the home cluttered? Are there safety hazards due to walkways being blocked?
Meal preparation and nutrition:
Appetite can change with age and activity level, but changes in the way things taste or smell are also quite
common in older adults. Sometimes this is an early sign of a more serious medical problem, or may result in a
problem if it leads to not eating regularly. Physical limitations such as back pain can also reduce the ability to
stand long enough to prepare food, and loneliness or depression can take away the desire to prepare
nutritionally varied meals.
•Are they eating regular meals?
•Any sign of loss of appetite or changes in taste or smell (picking at food, only eating a few foods)?
•Are they able to prepare food for themselves?
•Is there a reasonable amount and variety of food in the refrigerator and cupboards?
•Any signs of rotten food, or unusual overstocking of certain items?
•Do they appear to have lost weight recently?
Personal care:
Changes in dress or personal grooming can also reflect a variety of issues. Perhaps arthritis makes it difficult
to put on some kinds of clothing, but wearing the same clothes over and over may also indicate depression or
other problems.
•Does the person appear well-groomed and appropriately dressed?
•Are their clothes clean?
•Do they change clothes regularly, or do they always seem to be wearing the same thing?
•Does he or she seem to be bathing regularly?
•Can he or she get in and out of the tub or shower without assistance?
•If there are prescription medications, does the person seem to be taking them regularly? Does he or
she have a system for remembering when to take them?
Changes in social behavior
Again, if there have been changes in this area, the question is, “why?” Is it a transportation problem? Do they
hesitate to go to social gatherings because hearing loss makes conversation difficult? Or are they
withdrawing from the world because of grief or depression?
•Does the person still see friends and participate in social activities? If not, why not?
•If they went to church previously, do they still go?
•Do they seem lonely or isolated?
Mental status:
These are just a few indicators that there may be a problem with depression or possibly a neurological
disorder. Remember that there may be many explanations for these behaviors, some of which are quite
treatable, so don’t assume “it’s just old age”. Not all old people are miserable, focused on death, or living in
the past.
•Have they lost interest in things they used to enjoy?
•Do they seem unusually worried, hopeless, or sad?
•Do they repeat questions or stories over and over?
•Do you have to repeat or explain things multiple times to get them to understand?
•Are they able to recall recent events accurately?
•Do they have difficulty concentrating on a conversation, a book, or a television program?
•Do they seem unusually sleepy during the day? Do they have a regular sleep schedule?
•Do they seem uncharacteristically angry or suspicious?
Remember: observe, express concern, get more information if needed, plan, and then, act!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| TEN TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS
1. Take one day at a time. Caregiving is a roller coaster ride. There will be good days and bad days. Taking
each day as it comes and being careful not to look too far into the future for yourself or the care recipient can
lower your stress level.
2. Get adequate rest. Fatigue is the enemy of effective caregiving. It can lead to everything from a breakdown
in your immune system to making mistakes when giving medications to the care recipient. If possible, take
short combat naps when opportunities present themselves.
3. Identify your stressors. Different caregiving activities stress different people. Maybe you can arrange for
someone else such as a family member, friend or professional to perform the tasks that you find stressful. If
not, find ways to perform the task and reward yourself afterward.
4. Use your support system. The key to building a positive support system is to know what type of specific
support you need . . . and then ask for it or create a plan to get it. When family and friends offer support, tell
them exactly what you need. Don’t expect them to read your mind.
5. See your physician. Ask him or her how the stresses of caregiving may affect chronic conditions you may be
experiencing. Also, realize that accepting the offer of medication that helps you deal with stress and anxiety is
not weakness . . . just be careful not to overmedicate yourself.
6. Keep things in perspective. Care recipients seldom try to make your life more difficult. They are often in
pain, fearful, confused or unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy. Also, ask yourself if you have
realistic expectations of your caregiving experience. What are your expectations of the condition (present and
future) of the care recipient; what do you expect from family members; what do you expect from service
organizations? Unrealistic expectations that are not met increase stress dramatically.
7. Learn as much as you can. Take advantage of all the information resources from associations, government
agencies, the media, the Internet, local libraries, support groups and other caregivers. Create a notebook or
file (paper and computer) with all the information you gather. Also, be familiar with financial and legal
implications of your caregiving role. You may be able to find an attorney and/or accountant in your area who
specializes in issues related to caregiving.
8. Simplify, simplify, simplify. Let’s face it; caregiving creates a different life for you. Caregiving experts suggest
that you retain the life activities that make you feel like yourself, but you won’t be able to do everything. Try to
simplify your life in terms of activities, duties and obligations as much as possible. By clearing some of your
schedule, you provide more time for caregiving activities and rest.
9. Be good to yourself. Give yourself credit for the good that you do instead of being hard on yourself when you
get frustrated, impatient, sad or angry. Give yourself tangible rewards for getting through a difficult day or
situation. Plan ahead for rewards at significant dates such as the end of a year or your monthly or yearly
anniversary as a caregiver.
10. Realize that your sense of humor may be your #1 coping tool. Look for opportunities to laugh, both inside
and outside the caregiving activities. Any opportunities to laugh and find a lighter heart with the care recipient
are bonuses. Laughter creates better health and reduces stress.
Source: www.Caregiver101.com
|
