With the festive season upon us, a leading aged care pioneer says Christmas is the ideal opportunity to not only spend time with ageing loved ones, but also check in on their wellbeing.
Odyssey founder and CEO, Phil Usher says there are several key physical and psychological
factors that could indicate whether care should be considered for our ageing parents or grandparents.
“Families have a duty of care to observe elderly loved ones and it’s essential that when we come together over Christmas, people know what to look out for and what the warning signs are,” says Mr Usher.
“Physical warning signs to watch for are holding onto furniture to steady themselves, not being able to see properly, needing help to sit or get up and if they are reluctant to walk upstairs.
“Another sign is whether they have lost weight, as this could indicate they are not maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet.
“It’s a good idea to have a think about last Christmas and compare how your elderly loved one was physically a year ago.”
While psychological warning signs can be more difficult to spot, Mr Usher says observing interactions with other family members will help determine how the person is mentally.
“If your ageing parent or grandparent is actively engaging in conversations, take note of whether they have good short-term recall or if they are repeating the same stories,” says Mr Usher.
“Asking questions such as ‘how did I get here today?’ or ‘what is today?’ or if they can’t remember the names of close relatives, these are warning signs to be aware of.
Mr Usher says once you’ve made observations and if concerns are identified, it’s time to approach the key decision makers in the family and discus possible solutions and options.
“It’s vital that any warning signs aren’t ignored, or it can become dangerous for your elderly loved ones,” says Mr Usher.
“Broaching the subject can be difficult, but it’s about having a gentle conversation and expressing your care as a family towards your ageing parent or grandparent.
“Sometimes the need outweighs the potential awkwardness in opening up discussions like this.”
