Holidays Visits Can Turn Up Age-Related Declines
Holidays Visits Can Turn Up Age-Related Declines
The holidays are a time when families gather, and for children who are visiting from out of town, it can also be a time when they begin to notice something’s “not quite right” with Mom or Dad. Helping someone see and accept that they need help is a difficult task discussed in the earlier blog entry “Difficult Conversations.” But knowing when your parents may need more than gentle prodding and are truly at risk of injury can be challenging.
If the person has been diagnosed with dementia, the answer is clear: seek assistance now. But if the path isn’t so clear, how do you know when your concerns are justified? Don’t dismiss those gut feelings. Hunches don’t often come from nowhere. If you are routinely noticing several of these issues, it may be time to discuss scheduling a doctor’s visit. Tell them you would like an assessment for age-related safety issues.