Ageing parents: Five warning signs of health problems (Mayo clinic, 2007)

If you have aging parents you want to make sure that they can take care of themselves and stay healthy. Use these 5 signs as a guide only.

1. Have your parents lost weight? Losing weight without trying is a sign that something may be wrong. Encourage them to see their doctor. They may not have the energy to cook, cutlery may be difficult to grasp and they may be unable to read labels. Food may not taste as good as it used to.

2. Are your parents safe in their home? Take a look around; keep an eye out for anything that might mean they are unable to maintain the home. Lights working? Heat on? Garden overgrown? Dirty dishes in the sink & lots of clutter? Think in terms of safety.

3. Are your parents taking care of themselves? Pay attention to your parents' appearance. Do they take care of themselves? Failure to keep up with personal hygiene could indicate health problems.

4. How are your parents' moods & spirits? Note mood swings. A drastically different mood could be a sign of depression or other health issue. Ask how they're feeling. Do they seem withdrawn or blue? Talk to your parents about activities. Are they still connecting with friends?

5. Do your parents have difficulty getting around? Muscle weakness, joint problems and other age-related changes may make it difficult to walk. Are they reluctant or unable to walk far? Does knee or hip arthritis make it difficult to move well? Do they need a stick or frame – are they at risk of falling?

To download our newsletter please click here.

You and Your AgEing Parents (K. Beckham & J. Nolan, 1991)

Usually we avoid thinking about the possibility that someday one or both of our parents will become dependent and often are not prepared to handle parents’ increasing dependency. Below is a helpful list of how you might approach some issues when your parents age.

Talk about issues with your parents - try to talk with your parents and discuss what may happen before a crisis develops. Ask what they want if they could no longer live at home. Explore options and devise plans.

Accept feelings - Increasing physical or mental dependency of elderly parents can be a reminder of their mortality (and our own). You may need to readjust perceptions of your parents.

Talk about it - If you can express feelings to someone who listens and understands it makes it easier to deal with difficult emotions.

Build confidence - Too much loving protection can undermine self-esteem. Although the desire to overprotect is natural, it's usually the last thing an older person wants or needs. Strive for balance - people resent forced dependency.

Promises - Be careful not to make promises such as ‘We'll never put you in a nursing home or ‘You can always live with us’. You may not be able to live up to them.

Learn about the aging process - Physical and mental changes in later years are disheartening but by learning about life's stages we are better able to understand aging.

10 Questions you should consider before you look for aged care….

1. Who is your parents’ power of attorney? 2. Do your parents have a valid Aged Care Client Record? 3. What is the difference between high and low level care? 4. What are the differences between Government subsidised and non government subsidised facilities? 5. When do aged care fees increase? read more >>