by Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLP
August 29th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Admittedly, we all have our personal habits when it comes to our homes. Some of us are sticklers for keeping things clean and organized. However, this isn’t always the case when it comes to older adults. Changes in an older adult’s ability to keep up and maintain their homes may signal the need for additional observation and, possibly, intervention.
Although these changes could be temporary–for a variety of reasons–it is possible the house isn’t looking like it’s former self because the elder is suffering from depression, experiencing greater physical limitations or is dealing with cognitive difficulties.
Read more »
Posted in Other, Support | No Comments »
Tags: eldercare | family support
by Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLP
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:00 am
Older adults frequently get annoyed when asked the typical questions for orientation by healthcare professionals, but it can be very significant when the person is providing a month when it usually snows in their area and the temperature outside is in the 80’s. Staying oriented to the time, date and year is important. When an elder doesn’t know that information–even when prompted with hints–further observation is warranted to ensure other aging-related issues aren’t coming to the surface.
Read more »
Posted in Caregiving, Support | No Comments »
Tags: Caregiving | eldercare | memory issues
by Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLP
August 15th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Have you noticed your loved one is struggling to pay the bills? Does a checkbook appear unbalanced? Are bills being paid late? Although you may not be involved with the day-to-day financial management of an elder’s life, it is important to pay attention to money. Why? These financial miscues could be red flags for other problems.
Read more »
Posted in Caregiving, Financial | No Comments »
Tags: Caregiving | finances | money
by Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLP
August 9th, 2011 at 10:55 am
At some point, an elder or loved one–who previously cared about his or her appearance–may neglect his or her personal care. In these cases, family members and caregivers should observe behavior closely and try to discover what’s behind those changes. Mobility issues, depression or cognitive decline may be lurking in the background.
Read more »
Posted in Caregiving, Support | 2 Comments »
Tags: Caregiving | elder behavior | family support
by Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLP
August 4th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Family members may notice their loved one’s eating patterns or interest in cooking wanes over time. In many cases, these changes are simply attributed to age. However, it may be worth closer investigation, especially if your loved one is not around family members for meals on a regular basis. These changes may signal bigger problems such as memory issues, confusion or depression.
Read more »
Posted in Caregiving, Caring At Home | No Comments »
Tags: caregiver tips for eldercare meals | Caregiving | healthy living
