The holiday season often feels like a whirlwind of shopping, cooking, cleaning, and family visits. But amidst the festive meals and family traditions, it’s also important to connect with older loved ones.
Take time to reminisce, create new memories, and check on your elderly relatives. If an older loved one lives alone, holidays are an opportunity to make sure they’re healthy, safe, and able to maintain their independence at home.
The following family caregiver checklist is a helpful tool for identifying signs that your loved one may need extra support at home.
Why Holiday Visits Are an Opportunity for Assessment
As people age, they may experience subtle changes in their health or memory that could affect their ability to care for themselves or stay safe at home. Some older adults show early signs of dementia and might forget to take their medication, buy nutritious food, or bathe. Others become unsteady on their feet, and their home layout could increase the risk of falls.
You might not notice gradual changes in your loved one throughout the year, especially if you live far away or mostly see them outside their home. If you haven’t checked on their safety and well-being recently, plan a visit during the holidays.
Walking around their home and asking questions to assess their safety and well-being isn’t intrusive; it’s a caring act that can help protect your loved one from harm.
If you notice concerns that are easy to fix, your assessment and help could prevent things like slipping and falling. If you notice more complex concerns, you’ll be able to address them early when they’re easier to manage. Your intervention may prevent a crisis from developing.
Caregiver Checklist for Elderly Loved Ones
An older adult’s physical health, cognitive health, and home environment all play a role in their ability to care for themselves and live independently. To assess your loved one’s overall well-being, consider these factors:
Health and Physical Appearance
- Is your loved one managing their health conditions well?
- Do they become short of breath after walking even a short distance?
- Is it difficult for them to get up from a chair without help?
- Have they gained or lost a significant amount of weight?
- Is there healthy food in the refrigerator? Has it expired?
- Do they seem more frail or tired than in years past?
- Do they have bruises on their face or body, which could indicate a recent fall?
- Are they keeping up with proper hygiene, such as bathing, grooming, and changing their clothes?
Cognitive Changes
- Does your loved one have memory lapses or trouble with short-term memory?
- Do they ask the same questions or make the same observations over and over?
- Are they confused when you talk about things they should know about?
- Is having a conversation with them challenging? If so, could hearing loss be a factor?
- Have they missed appointments with doctors, physical therapists, or friends?
- Do they sometimes get lost while driving or walking in familiar places?
- Are there stacks of unopened mail around the house?
- Are they still paying their bills on time?
Emotional Changes
- Have you noticed any changes in your loved one’s mood?
- Do they seem worried, anxious, or depressed?
- Have they lost interest in their usual activities and favorite hobbies?
- Have they withdrawn from their social life, or do they still see friends and family?
- Are they sleeping more or less than usual?
- Have they become less concerned about their physical appearance?
Home Safety
- Can they walk up and downstairs safely?
- Does clutter block any doorways, hallways, or other areas?
- Are there any tripping hazards, such as throw rugs or electrical cords?
- Is there enough light to prevent your loved one from tripping over objects at night?
- Do any of the light fixtures have bulbs that need to be replaced?
- Does the bathroom have safety grab bars in the shower and near the toilet?
- Do all of the utilities work as they should?
- Are there spoiled leftovers in the fridge or expired food items in the pantry?
- Is the kitchen garbage smelly or overflowing? Are the counter surfaces clean?
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Does your loved one bathe, brush their teeth, shave, and comb their hair?
- Are they regularly preparing and eating healthy meals?
- Do they change clothes regularly and keep up with laundry?
- Are they able to move around their home on their own?
- Can they get in and out of bed safely?
- Can they use the bathroom independently? Are there any incontinence issues?
- Do they have extra soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, and laundry detergent?
Medication and Medical Devices
- Does your loved one remember to take their medication on schedule every day?
- Do they have a system to help remember when to take each medication?
- Are the medications labeled and kept in an easy-to-find spot?
- Do they take dietary supplements that could interact with their medications?
- Are they wearing their glasses and hearing aids? Are those aids effective?
- If they have a cane or walker, do they use both at home and outside?
- If they use an oxygen device, is it easy to access? Do they keep it maintained regularly?
How to Address Concerns About a Senior’s Health
After your assessment, you might realize that your loved one needs help to stay safe and healthy at home. Before making any changes, talk to them. Approach your loved one gently with your concerns. They might see that they need assistance, or they might be in denial. A kind, empathetic tone should make them more open to the conversation. Focus on the importance of their health and safety, and avoid being judgmental.
When exploring possible solutions to improve the situation, ask for your loved one’s input so they feel emotionally connected to the change. Offer to arrange in-home care consultations or checkups with a healthcare provider.
Once you’ve finalized a plan, follow up with your senior loved one after the holidays to make sure the new system works for them.
When In-Home Caregiving May Help
You may not be able to give your loved one the extra help they need, especially if you live far away, have a family of your own, or work a full-time job. If your senior family member needs help bathing or dressing, or if they’re at risk of falling, they may require professional caregiving support.
Professional in-home caregivers can help with daily activities, ensure your loved one takes their medicationas prescribed, and transport them to doctor appointments. The caregiver can also provide more consistent companionship if your loved one lives alone.
In addition, in-home care enables your elderly loved one to continue aging in place, while giving you the respite care you need as a family caregiver.
How BrightStar Care Can Help Your Senior Loved One
Spending time this holiday season checking on your elderly loved one’s physical health, cognitive well-being, and home environment is a way to support their ongoing independence at home.
Using the checklist above can help you identify a variety of concerns that could threaten your loved one’s safety and well-being. The results of your assessment can guide you in deciding whether to seek out a professional caregiver to assist your loved one.
Supported by nurse-led care plans, BrightStar Care® caregivers provide essential services that help older adults age in place. Whether you’re seeking in-home care services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call 866-618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care delivers A Higher Standard®.