Holiday visits home to see aging parents or family members provide wonderful moments of togetherness in a loving and warm environment. They also provide a special opportunity to observe firsthand how well your loved one is doing on an hour-by-hour or day-to-day basis.

Talking to loved ones on the phone may occur more frequently than family visits, but when you live at a distance it isn’t always easy to get the full picture.

It is normal for aging parents not to want to burden their children, so they may under report their concerns. If they had a fall and their memory is declining, they may not remember to report the incident or the injuries sustained. Phone calls from family members are treasured moments, so time is spent on happier topics such as how the grandchildren are doing and how your job is going. It is likely that signs of decline may not be detected during those conversations.

Professional Care Managers are trained to observe the Red Flags that often indicate changes are taking place in the loved ones ability to care for themselves alone. So if you are planning a family trip this holiday season, here are some Red Flags that often give valuable clues that special attention may be needed.

The general condition of the home is often a Red Flag.

• Is there more clutter than usual?
• Do the counters and tables seem to be accumulating old mail or bills that appear unopened?
• Does the refrigerator have old or outdated food in it?
• Do the foods in the refrigerator or freezer represent healthy nutrition?
• Are the dishes washed and put away or are they accumulating in the sink and on the counter tops. Is this normal or out of character?
• Are there any signs of burned food on the stove?

Clothing worn daily might give you clues about failing eyesight or memory.

• Is there food or stains on the clothing indicating neglect or that the clothes are not washed when needed?
• Are the medication containers up-to-date and does the patient know what each medication is prescribed for?
• Is there confusion about the date, time or where they are living?
• Does the person verbalize paranoia about people stealing things from them?

Driving safely can be a concern.

• How do you feel when in the car and the elderly person is driving?
• Does the car have marks, scrapes, or dents you don’t remember from your last visit?
• Any clues or signs that medication, physical or psychological symptoms may be impairing the person’s ability to drive safely?

If you observe any of these Red Flags and they cause you concern, Bates Care Management offers professional in-home assessments, with a clinical perspective, to help you determine the appropriate next step.

The office serves all of San Luis Obispo County and Santa Maria. You can check them out online at www.BatesCare.com, through the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers at www.caremanager.org or their office at (805) 771-9124.