What are the Warning signs that your loved one might need more help!

Here are some warning signs that your loved one might need more support at home:

1. Changes in the Home Environment Is their home in disarray, messier and/or more cluttered than normal? Dirty dishes and laundry piling up could be signs of decline in the elderly loved one. Scorched cookware could indicate that the older resident is forgetting when something is cooking on the stove until it burns. Expired food in the refrigerator also is a red flag of a possible safety issue.

2. Weight loss or gain Unintended weight loss and gain could suggest a poor diet, mobility problems, depression, dementia and other health issues.

3. Medication Misuse You can count the number of pills prescribed in a bottle and see how many of them have been taken to gain insight into whether your elderly parent is taking the right dosage of medicine on a regular basis.

4. Unpaid bills Bounced checks, late payment notices and expired registration on vehicles could be signs of trouble.

5. Changes in Mood Does your parent appear depressed and have little to no energy? Are they behaving differently towards their family members and friends?

6. Physical Frailty Even a parent who normally likes taking walks, playing golf or doing other activities will slow down at some point. But if you see parents struggling to walk up and down stairs, demonstrating an unbalanced gait while walking, or sitting in one spot for hours and then experiencing pain when they stand up, those could be symptoms of medical problems.

7. Possible Abuse Pay close attention to physical, behavioral and living and environmental signs that your loved one might be suffering from abuse, neglect and/or exploitation, including suspicious bruises, binding marks and burns. Some behavioral indicators that could suggest abuse, neglect or exploitation include withdrawal from friends or usual activities, as well as anger, hyperactivity and suicidal thoughts or attempts, changes in appetite and depression. You can report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult by calling Georgia Adult Protective Services at 1-877-423-4746 or by submitting a complaint online at aging.ga.gov.

There are resources available in your community to help with obtaining support for elderly loved ones, so they can safely live in their own homes and find fulfillment in their golden years. Below are few resources you can use to support a loved one while still taking care of yourself:

1. Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) offers adult daycare, healthcare, home-delivered meals, as well as help with housekeeping and personal care, transportation and respite care. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find services.

2. Senior Transition Solutions Middle GA offers help with connecting you to the right people to help with services needed. Contact Bob Smith at 478-449-0033.

3. Honest Anwers on Aging: Ann Beasley - If you need assistance with what steps to take next, please feel free to give me a call at 478-302-0562 or email me at: honestanswers306@gmail.com.  I'll be happy to help in any way I can to get you the right resources or to help research your next steps.