Are They Really Doing Fine? Holiday Season is the Perfect Opportunity to Check on Elderly Love Ones

Dec. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- During the holiday season, VNA HealthCare, an affiliate of Hartford HealthCare, recommends that family members take this time to be conscience of elderly family members’ environment and truly evaluate how they are living; look for the things that wouldn’t necessarily be noticed over the telephone pertaining to their ability to manage independently at home.

•  Are they less mobile or having difficulties moving around, making them a bigger risk for potential falls?

•  Have you noticed any changes in terms of their eating habits?  Do they look underweight and malnourished?  Are any foods in the refrigerator moldy and expired? Are they cooking their food or only eating out of cans?

•  If they are having difficulties getting to the grocery store or preparing their own meals, is someone assisting them by bringing food in?

•  Can you see a noticeable difference in terms of their personal hygiene? Has their hair been washed, and, for the men, are they clean-shaven?

•  Are you finding that their clothes are piled high and unwashed? Are the halls and rooms filled with clutter?

•  Are there any signs of memory loss?

•  Are there any signs that they are confused in terms of taking their prescribed medications?

“The holidays are a good opportunity to assess how your elderly loved ones are really doing,” states Kelly Keaveney RN, VNA HealthCare’s Geriatric Care Manager. “The goal is to examine their home environments for these important indicators.  Understanding the ‘bigger picture’ in terms of where they stand allows families to find and access the necessary services that exist, which allows their loved ones to continue living comfortably and safely in their own homes.”  

If you can identify any significant changes in elderly family members, a Geriatric Care Manger can work with you to assess the situation and develop the necessary plan and services so that they can continue to live safely and independently at home.  They are your experienced partner with the knowledge and resources you need to manage many of the difficult interpersonal issues in any of several fields related to care management, including, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.

If you need assistance with caring for an elderly loved one, are new to elder care or uncomfortable with elder care decision-making, are facing major changes such as health crisis or changes of residence, or simply want some advice about any aspect of elder care, the Geriatric Care Management Program at VNA HealthCare welcomes the opportunity to speak with you.

About VNA HealthCare

Founded in 1901, VNA HealthCare provides home health care to more than 60 towns in Central Connecticut and Greater Waterbury. The agency provides care ranging from skilled nursing, hospice, rehabilitation and speech therapy to advanced cardiac nursing, Lifeline and personal care. VNA HealthCare is an affiliate of Hartford HealthCare and is a Caring Partner with Saint Mary’s Hospital. VNA HealthCare employs more than 700 employees and cares for more than 12,000 patients annually. VNA HealthCare is a top agency as ranked by 2010 HomeCare Elite™, a compilation of leading Medicare-certified home care providers based on quality outcomes, quality improvement, and financial performance.