Family members of aging adults typically travel one of two paths to becoming a caregiver: the sudden sprint, or the gradual march.

The sudden sprint towards providing care for a loved one is often set off by an unexpected event—a stroke, a fall, complications from surgery—which acts as a catalyst, escalating your family member’s care needs practically overnight.

The gradual march in the direction of caregiving is less abrupt. You can’t say exactly when it began, but you’ve started noticing little changes in how your family member interacts with the world around them. Perhaps they’re getting lost while driving to the grocery store, maybe they’re having trouble keeping track of their medications, or balancing their checkbook—tasks they’ve performed countless times over the years, without any problems.

If an aging family member is consistently exhibiting these kinds of behaviors, they may soon be in need of extra care.

Here are 22 common signs your loved one may need extra help:
 

Physical

Fluctuating weight
Balance problems
Poor hygiene
Sleeping too much or too little
Unexplained burns and bruises (especially on the legs and arms)

Home Environment

Unkempt yard
Unusual carpet stains
Excessive clutter (several weeks’ worth of newspapers, piles of junk mail)
Unusual odors (urine, garbage)
Not enough food in the house
Failure to turn off stove, or water after use

Emotional

Mood swings
Abusive behavior (most likely verbal)
Lack of motivation
Uncharacteristically anti-social behavior

Cognitive

Confusion
Memory loss
Repetition
Hallucinations

Other

Dents and scratches on the car
Unfilled or untaken prescriptions
Unpaid bills

Whether these problems appear suddenly or slowly, they are all warning signs that indicate your loved one is having trouble attending to their own needs.

Being able to identify the presence of these red flags as soon as possible will enable you, your aging loved one, and the rest of your family to come up with a plan that ensures everyone’s needs get met.
 

Normal Aging, or Alzheimer’s Disease: What’s the Difference?

As a loved one ages, one of the questions that may come up for you and your family is how to tell the difference between the cognitive changes associated with “normal aging,” and those that could signal serious health conditions, such as dementia.

At this time, there’s no definitive way to distinguish between benign memory slips, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of dementia, but it may help to consider this as a general rule of thumb: occasionally misplacing the car keys is normal, while forgetting what to do with them is not.

Here are a few additional indicators that your loved one’s cognitive troubles may be caused by something more serious than the simple advance of age:

• Bad judgment (poor financial decisions, public outbursts)
• Movement issues (stiff movements, hunched posture)
• Loss of inhibition (saying or doing socially inappropriate things)
• Language problems (can’t form coherent sentences)
• Hallucinations and delusions (seeing things that aren’t really there)
• Trouble performing familiar tasks (can’t remember how to get to the doctor’s office)
• Memory loss that interrupts daily life (regularly forgets recent conversations)

Ultimately, it’s up to you and your family to determine if, and when, a loved one’s cognitive issues warrant investigation by a medical professional.

 
Provided courtesy of AgingCare.com, the go-to destination for family caregivers. AgingCare.com offers resources and support for those taking care of elderly parents. This article is one of a series of articles included in the eBook, Family Caring for Family. Download your free copy at www.AgingCare.com/ebook.

Has your loved one recently celebrated their 65th birthday? If so, then they now qualify for Medicare. Keep reading for a crash course on a few facts that you need to know about this program.

Medicare Eligibility is not Based on Income

Unlike Medicaid which is made available to individuals whose income falls below a certain income level, eligibility for Medicare does not depend on income. Medicaid is a fully federally funded program, whereas Medicare is paid for partly by Social Security and Medicaid taxes, partly by the premiums that people with Medicare pay, and partly by the federal budget. If you are age 65 or older, under 65 and depend on Social Security Disability Insurance, or have End-Stage Renal Disease, then you are eligible for Medicare.

There Are Four Different Plans

Once you qualify for Medicare, you have a range of plans available to you, and each plan offers different benefits. Original Medicare is comprised of Parts A and B. Once you turn 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled into Part A, which is a free program as long as either you or your spouse paid the Medicare payroll tax for at least a decade. Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services, and there is an income-based component in determining cost. Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is a private insurance option that covers the benefits of Parts A and B. Part D is a prescription drug plan that offers coverage for prescription medications.

You May Need Supplemental Insurance…But You May Not

Medicare is a wonderful program, but it doesn’t cover everything. Depending on your loved one’s healthcare needs, they may find themselves overwhelmed with copayments and deductibles. This is where supplemental insurance, or Medigap, comes into play. Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies and mainly cover Medicare deductibles. Medigap can only be used alongside Parts A and B, so if you’re enrolled in Part C, you’ll need to drop out before your Medigap coverage begins.

Many seniors find that any savings that they get with a Medigap plan are offset by the monthly premiums, which can be several hundred dollars. For that reason, most find that unless they’re making weekly trips to the doctor’s office for expensive tests and lab work, Medicare sufficiently covers their needs.

There Are Several Enrollment Periods

When you turn 65, the government will send out an eligibility notice. If you’re already getting Social Security benefits, you’ll automatically be enrolled; otherwise, you’ll need to send in your application by the due date. If you don’t sign up for Part B during that time, you’ll have an opportunity to during the enrollment period that runs from the first of the year through March 31. However, you’ll pay a 10% penalty for every 12-month period that you delay in signing up for Part B, unless you are still employed.

If you are employed, you’ll have an 8-month period after you retire to apply for Part B without penalty. If you should miss that enrollment period, then you’ll need to wait for the open enrollment period, which runs every year from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can also enroll in Parts C and D.

Medicare is a wonderful program that ensures that seniors are able to receive quality healthcare after they retire. To learn more about the program and the options available, visit the Medicare website.

As we’re approaching the holiday season, you may have opportunities over the upcoming months to visit family. These reunions often showcase how aging parents and other loved ones have changed over the course of the year. This time together can provide a wonderful chance for you to evaluate their health and quality of life and to recognize if any changes need to be made.

Keep reading to learn how to identify the common issues that your senior loved one may be facing.

General Health

Unfortunately, chronic health problems among seniors are not unusual. While aches and pains are often a part of the aging process, there are things to watch for, such as:

• • Frequent trips to the emergency room

• • Noticeable weight loss

• • Lack of appetite

• • Loss of interest in activities and socialization

If you notice any of these signs that your loved one’s general health is declining, then you may want to accompany them on their next visit to their doctor or talk to someone who can help you determine whether changes in your loved one’s care should be made.

Activities of Daily Living

Daily living activities are everyday tasks that must get done, whether we do them ourselves or have someone assist us with them. From basic tasks (bathing and grooming, eating, getting around the home and using the toilet) to more complex tasks (money management, transportation, housekeeping duties and shopping), there are a range of self-care activities that must be taken care of to ensure a high quality of life.

If you have the opportunity to visit a senior loved one over the coming months, try to take a discreet inventory of their food pantry and refrigerator, particularly if they live alone. Keep an ear out for any clues that they are struggling financially or that they have difficulty getting around town.

Mood and Mental Health

Has your loved one’s personality changed drastically since your last visit? Do you detect a hint of depression or anxiety that wasn’t there before, or do they express frustration over memory problems?

Cognitive changes are normal in older adults, and depression often accompanies traumatic events, such as the loss of a spouse or a change in their living arrangements. If your loved one seems disengaged or if their behavior is unusual, then it may be time to have a conversation with their doctor.

Safety

Most seniors wish to maintain their privacy and independence for as long as possible; unfortunately, this is often done at the expense of their safety and wellbeing. Here are a few areas of safety to watch for:

• • Are they managing their money well? Do they have the ability to buy what they need, and are you worried about them falling for scams?

• • Do they wander or get lost?

• • Have they had changes in memory or judgement that may jeopardize their safety?

• • Do they manage their medications well (taking the right pills at the right times, properly measuring dosage, etc.)?

• • Have they had car accidents or close calls?

• • Have they had changes in balance or ability? Are they prone to falls, or have they had frequent visits to the ER?

• • Is their home a safe environment with a proper heating and cooling system, grab bars and other accessibility aids?

Oftentimes, simple changes can be made to offset the challenges that come with aging, such as showing your senior loved one how to buy groceries and other necessities online, making their home more accessible or having a caregiver visit a few times a week. By observing your senior loved one this holiday season, you can ensure that they continue to enjoy a high quality of life.

October is National Physical Therapy Month and the perfect time to focus on the benefits of physical therapy, especially for seniors. Physical therapy provides a fantastic way for seniors to recover from injuries and continue to enjoy optimal health and quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of physical therapy.

Why Do We Need Physical Therapy

From providing relief for chronic pain and arthritis to encouraging healing from injuries and surgeries, physical therapy is an effective way to manage pain without using opioids, which often have unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. However, even if your senior loved one hasn’t experienced chronic pain or a major surgery, physical therapy is still a great way to ensure that they maintain their fitness level as they age, preventing injuries and perhaps even avoiding surgeries. For many seniors, it is an effective way to gain strength and balance, as well as a renewed sense of confidence. Physical therapy can help ensure that your senior loved one can continue to live an independent life. Even seniors that have a low activity level can benefit from a physical therapy regimen.

The aging process has an abundance of normal physical changes, such as bone loss, loss of balance and decreased mobility. Taking on a new exercise program can feel like a daunting – or even unsafe – task for seniors. A physical therapist can design a gentle at-home physical therapy regimen that promotes and builds flexibility, balance and mobility.

Fitness Tips for Seniors

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, working with a physical therapist can help seniors prevent a wide range of concerns and health problems, such as obesity, injuries from over-exercising and loss of balance, muscle mass and flexibility. Getting older doesn’t mean that your senior loved one has to succumb to a sedentary lifestyle, and staying fit should be a normal, intentional part of their daily routine. Here are a few fitness tips for seniors who want to remain active.

• • Pay attention to your body. It’s okay to challenge your body, but you should not exercise at a level that feels overly exerting.

• • Warm up and cool down before exercise. It is important for seniors to prepare their bodies before working out, and it’s necessary to ensure that the heart rate returns to normal after the workout is complete.

• • Drink plenty of water. Make an effort to stay hydrated; even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to drink water during exercise.

• • Pay attention to the weather. Do not exercise outdoors if it is extremely hot or extremely cold.

• • Modify your activities as necessary. Even if you have a good level of overall fitness, you may have to modify your exercise routine as you age. For example, runners may develop knee problems, requiring them to switch to a lower impact form of exercise.

• • Incorporate a variety of exercises. Your exercise routine should include light strength training and promote cardiovascular health, flexibility and balance.

Physical therapy provides a wonderful non-invasive alternative for pain management. Working with a physical therapist can help your senior loved one recover from hospitalizations, enjoy relief from chronic pain and maintain their independence. Interested in learning about Sagepoint Rehabilitation? Click here.

No matter your age, getting the flu is no fun. Each year, between 5 and 20 percent of adults are diagnosed with the flu. Flu season is generally considered to be between the months of December and March, but outbreaks can happen as early as October and as late into the year as May. While most healthy adults fare just fine, older adults, especially those with additional health concerns, have an increased likelihood of experiencing complications with the virus. They may have to endure a hospital stay, and for some, the flu can even be fatal. Fortunately, there are several measures that you can take to help both yourself and your senior loved one stay well. As we’re heading into flu season, follow these tips to help protect your senior loved one from viruses.

Get Vaccinated 

They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and when it comes to flu prevention, that is certainly true. This year, there will be approximately 180 million flu vaccines available in the country. In addition to being readily available at your doctor’s office, flu vaccines are also commonly available at pharmacies, college health centers, health departments and even some supermarkets and big box stores. Although receiving the flu vaccine doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get sick, it does go a long way in protecting you from the season’s most common strains. Some places even offer a flu vaccine that is formulated specifically for seniors. It contains four times the concentration of the active ingredient, providing a better immune response for those who have weakened immune systems. Each year has a new flu shot to combat that season’s most common strains, so even if you and your senior loved one received last year’s flu vaccine, it’s important to receive this year’s as well.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, seniors should also receive pneumococcal vaccines. These vaccines provide protection against illnesses and complications that often accompany the flu virus, including pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections.

Practice Good Health Habits

Especially if your senior loved one lives in a community setting, attends an adult day center or volunteers in the community, exposure to the flu virus may be inevitable. By taking the time to practice good health habits, they can stop germs. Avoid close contact with people that you know are sick, and if you get sick, keep your distance from others. The flu virus is spread through droplets, so when coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Germs can also hang out on door knobs, light switches, remote controls and other commonly handled items, so make a habit of washing your hands often, and avoid touching your face as much as possible.

Seek Medical Help Right Away

If in spite of their best efforts, your senior loved one does contract the flu virus, it’s important that they seek medical help right away. In addition to monitoring their condition, their medical care provider can administer antiviral medications from keeping their illness from worsening.

You may not be able to completely avoid exposure to the flu virus as the cooler months approach, but by taking these simple measures, you can ensure that you and your loved one are as protected as possible from the flu and its complications.

If you’re like most people, you’re familiar with the purpose of a last will and testament. This document provides a comprehensive outline that expresses your preferences after you have died. Whether you’ve created one or not (only about 50% of adults have), you’re probably aware that at some point you will die, and that you can save your loved ones a lot of stress by providing this final piece of guidance.

As uncomfortable as many of us are with the thought of our own deaths, we’re even more squeamish thinking about the days and weeks leading up to our final breaths. However, just like your final will and testament is designed to help your loved ones by outlining your wishes after your death, a living will guides your loved ones through the difficult decisions that must be made during situations in which you are unable to communicate.

Keeping reading to learn more about living wills and how to create your own.

What Information Does a Living Will Provide?

Living wills, also known as advance directives, range from very specific to very general. However, wills that only provide general information may not offer sufficient direction and cause unnecessary confusion and friction between your healthcare providers and your loved ones. For this reason, living wills that provide specific information are preferred. Your living will should contain carefully thought out and informed instructions that are based on communication between you and your physician before a medical crisis occurs.

Since living wills were first drafted in the 1960’s, medical information and technology has grown exponentially. Today’s living wills focus less on specific treatments and medical procedures and more on the patient’s personal goals and their preferred health outcomes.

A living will can:

• Discuss pain management and palliative care
• Designate who will make medical decisions on your behalf
• Outline what kind of life support treatment that you want (or don’t want)
• Provide instructions for personal grooming and bathing
• Describe what type of religious, spiritual or emotional support you want
• Detail funeral or memorial service preferences

Making Your Living Will (And Encouraging Your Senior Loved One to Do the Same)

While less than half of adults have a living will, a majority of those that do are seniors. However, if your senior loved one has not created one, the best way to encourage them to do so is to make one yourself. This is a great way to demonstrate that you’re not just asking them to create one because you’re concerned about their health, but that it’s simply the responsible thing to do.

While a lawyer can assist you in creating a living will, you do not need to hire one for your document to be legally valid. Every state has its own criteria for making a living will, so be sure to find one that meets your state’s requirements. A user-friendly advance directive form and instructions valid in Maryland can be found below. Living will forms can also be found at your doctor’s office, local hospitals or senior centers. There is also software available to help you draft your living will. Once you have completed it, you will need to sign it and have it signed by two witnesses. You should give one copy of your living will to your doctor, and you should make other copies to give to those close to you to have on hand should the need arise.

Creating a living will is a simple way to prevent unnecessary stress for your loved ones while ensuring that your wishes are carried out, even if you are not able to communicate them.

 Maryland Attorney General Advance Directive Form and Instructions

We expect our skin to change as we age. Though we may take strides to postpone changes like age spots, lines and wrinkles, most of us eventually accept these changes, even coming to see them as the badges of honor that we gain for a life well lived. Easy bruising, however, is a change that catches many older adults by surprise.

Alarming though it may be to see a large bruise on your senior loved one, especially one that they can’t recall getting, easy bruising is quite common among seniors. Keeping reading to find out why bruising is so common among older adults, how you can recognize if they are a sign of a serious problem and how to prevent excessive bruising.

Why is Bruising So Common?

A bruise occurs when the small blood vessels under your skin are broken by some form of impact, such as hitting your knee on the coffee table. When that happens, blood leaks out of the vessel and forms a black or blue mark under your skin. Within a few days, the body absorbs that blood and the bruise disappears. For most people, it takes a fairly hard blow to break those blood vessels, but as we age, our blood vessels become more fragile. To make matters worse, the skin cells retain less of the fat and moisture that forms a protective barrier to shield blood vessels from injury. For a senior, a minor bump that they don’t even notice is enough to break blood vessels and cause a bruise. If your loved one is on a medication that acts as a blood thinner, they may also be more prone to bruising.

When is Bruising a Sign of Trouble?

By itself, bruising is not cause for alarm. However, if your loved one has large bruising that regularly appears on their face, back or trunk, has a history of severe bleeding or a family history of severe bleeding, talk to their doctor. These could indicate low levels of or abnormally functioning platelets.

Another serious cause of bruising to explore is elder abuse. If your loved one has regular bruising that appears in unusual places or seem to be the result of violence, then speak with them about the possibility of abuse.

Preventing Bruising

While you may not be able to completely eliminate easy bruising in your senior loved one, there are a few preventative measures you can take. Eliminating household clutter may help to prevent bumps and falls. Additionally, long-sleeved shirts and pants can help to compensate for thinner skin by adding a layer of protection for the blood vessels.

Once a bruise has occurred, there are a few remedies that may help it disappear more quickly. A mixture of vinegar and warm water can be applied to the area to speed up the process. Some may find that an ice pack is an effective first aid tool, while others have better success with a heating pad or hot water bottle. Most bruises disappear with time, although the healing process might take longer as you age.

While bruises on your senior loved one may be alarming to see, they are generally no cause for concern. If you suspect that they indicate a serious problem, speak with their doctor about checking platelet levels or making changes to your senior loved one’s care.

According to the CDC, strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Each year, nearly 800,000 suffer from a stroke, and nearly three quarters of those people will be over the age of 65. In fact, between the ages of 55 and 85, the risk of having a stroke doubles every decade. Strokes are responsible for more long term disabilities than any other disease.

Sounds pretty bleak, doesn’t it? While strokes can certainly be scary, the good news is that there are preventative measures you can take to minimize the risk of stroke in your senior loved one. If a stroke does occur, early recognition and medical intervention can reduce permanent damage.

Keep reading to learn more about what a stroke is, recognizing a stroke and assisting your senior loved one through the recovery process.

How Does a Stroke Occur?

There are two different types of stroke: the ischemic stroke, which is similar to a heart attack, and the hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures.

Accounting for about four out of every five cases, ischemic stroke is by far the most common. This occurs when a clot forms in or travels to the brain, blocking the flow of blood to the brain’s cells. When this happens, some brain cells die immediately because they don’t get the oxygen that they need. Other cells don’t die immediately, but are weakened and at risk of death.

This is where early intervention comes in. If treatment is provided in time, these cells may be able to be saved, minimizing the long term damage.

Recognizing a Stroke

There are several common symptoms of a stroke, including:

• Numbness or weakness in the facial muscles or limbs on one side of the body
• A sudden severe headache
• Inability to form words properly or understand what other are saying
• Loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Any of these symptoms accompanied by a loss of balance

Act F.A.S.T.

If you suspect that your senior loved one is suffering from a stroke, quick action is key to a better chance of recovery. The acronym F.A.S.T. is a handy memory tool that you can use as a guide when dealing with a possible stroke victim.

Face – Ask the person to smile, and check to see if their facial muscles are lopsided or uneven.

Arms – Instruct your loved one to raise both arms and check to see if one is weak.

Speech – Listen to their speech, noting if they use nonsense words, unusual sentence structure or slurring.

Time – Call 911 at the first sign of a stroke.

After a Stroke

A stroke is a life-changing event, and it takes knowledge and patience to overcome all the obstacles that present themselves. Follow these tips to help your senior loved one enjoy the best possible health after suffering from a stroke.

• Strengthen the body through a health, well-balanced diet and a gentle exercise regimen
• Avoid alcohol, nicotine and any other substance that directly affects the brain or nervous system
• Pursue rehabilitation services to help restore any skills that might have been lost, such as speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy

Arranging for long-term care and treatment is a wonderful way to improve your loved one’s quality of life. To learn more about Sagepoint’s long-term skilled nursing care, contact one of our trained Advisors today.