Watch Out For These Warning Signs

	Watch Out For These Warning Signs by Carol Bradley Bursack
	Holiday visits are a good opportunity to check on your parents' health and determine if they need extra help. Observe how they behave during your visit to get an accurate view of their needs. Do they seem depressed? If your parents are sleeping too much, have no interest in their hobbies, or have a decreased appetite, they may be suffering from depression. Ask someone who sees them frequently about their moods when you aren't there. Are they having balance problems? If a parent is walking unsteadily, insist they see a doctor. Balance problems could be an early sign of an inner ear infection, bad joints, or dementia. Have they lost a lot of weight? Look in their refrigerator and pantry to make sure they have nutritious food on hand. If eating isn't the issue, suggest they get a complete physical to discover the reason behind the weight loss. Services that can help Often, elders don't want to disclose that they are having trouble because they fear they'll have to move to a nursing home. Let them know there are other options, including: In-home care. These services offer trained professionals who visit your loved one to provide companionship, help with daily tasks, and more. Adult Day Care. Adult day care centers offer coordinated programs, including a variety of social, health and support services in a safe, protective environment. When you visit, don't try to change everything right away. Just get a feel for what is going on and note what needs to be done to keep your parents safe, happy, and healthy. _________________________________________________ Here at Touching Hearts Senior Care, we can help in assessing what services your parents or loved ones may need.  We can also assist in setting up those services.  Please do not hesitate to call us at (251) 445-4204 if you any questions. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!