Objective: To discuss the signs and symptom's of seniors at risk of declining health and identify potential forms of assistance available in the community Most families eventually have to deal with the complicated and overwhelming question: How do I know when an aging relative needs more assistance than our family can provide? One thing is certain: your parents will not be the ones to tell you they need help! We at Senior Places Network can help... Feel free o contact us 714 458 1385

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CARING FOR THE
SENIORS IN OUR
LIVES
SIGNS & SYMPTOM'S THAT OUR
OLDER LOVED ONE’S MAY NEED
MORE ASSISTANCE
HOME CARE | HOME HEALTH | RCFE | ASSISTED LIVING | DME | HOSPICE|
ELDERCARE ATTORNEY | SENIOR CARE PROVIDERS | SKILLED NURSING
HHA
PATIENT

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
AND
THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO CARE FOR THEM
• Non Medical Homecare
• Transitional Care Management
• Free Referral/ Placement Services
• Medical Supplies
• Non Emergency Medical
Transportation
• Geriatric Care Management &
Advocacy

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AND
THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO CARE FOR THEM
• How many people have parents that are the oldest
they have ever been?
• How many people have had to deal with some form of
the medical system or caregiving in relationship to
their aging parents?
• How many of us are older today then we have ever
been????
• Currently 10,000 Americans a day turn 65 years old

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Objective:
To discuss the signs and symptom's of
seniors at risk of declining health and
identify potential forms of assistance
available in the community

5. ONLINE
LANGUAGE
COURSES
SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
Most families eventually have to deal
with the complicated and overwhelming
question:
How do I know when an aging relative
needs more assistance than our family
can provide?
One thing is certain: your parents will
not be the ones to tell you they need
help!

6. ONLINE
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COURSES
SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
• Adult children sometimes experience a rude awakening
when first discovering their aging parents are not able to
function as they once did.
• For children who do not see their parents often, this can
be particularly unsettling.
• No adult son or daughter wants to admit that a parent
who provided life, nurturing and was a vibrant role model
during childhood is now in need of care.

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
So the question becomes, what are the important
signs that your loved one needs assistance, and
what kind of help do they really need?
Many aging seniors need some degree of help with
daily tasks.

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
These tasks include
• Bathing
• Cooking
• Eating
• Changing clothes and getting safely into and out of the bathtub
• Driving to a doctor’s appointment or
• Just running daily errands.

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
Often, as the aging process
unfolds, your senior may exhibit
even more needs, such as
• Early signs of mild cognitive
impairment
• Inability to consistently take
medications correctly or
• Financial vulnerability to scam
artists who target seniors.

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
So, what are some of the common indicators that your
parents may need assistance or care? Here are some of
the tell tale signs:
• Neglected Home
• Poor Eating Habits
• Neglected Hygiene
• Depression
• Forgetfulness
• Unopened Mail and Mishandled Finances

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
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Neglected Home
A neglected home is generally an easy warning
sign to spot and may mean the older adult needs a
little extra help taking care of the house. Other
physical clues around your parents' home may be a
red flag
• The smell of urine - indicating possible bouts of
incontinence
• Scorched pots and pans, indicating forgetfulness
while cooking.
• Spoiling food in the refrigerator is another sign
that your loved one is not eating meals regularly
or may need help in preparing food.

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
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Poor Eating Habits
A decrease in appetite is not
unusual for the elderly. It is often
difficult to spot this warning
sign, which is why it is particularly
important to pay attention to cooking
and eating habits.
Additionally, monitoring your loved
one for weight loss is
recommended.

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
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Neglected Hygiene
Body odor, neglected fingernails and/or
teeth are easily noticeable warning signs
showing that your senior needs
attention.
This could be due to your aging parent
not being able to safely get into the
shower or bath.
Do a physical assessment of the
bathroom; consider placing grab bars, or
getting a raised toilet seat.

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Neglected Hygiene (cont’d)
Also, check to see if the laundry is
getting done.
Often, you may see aging parents
wearing the same clothes for several
days in a row. This could be an
indicator of forgetfulness or simply a
sign that it is too difficult for the older
adult to load and unload clothes from
the washing machine and dryer.
Forgetfulness is one of the many early signs of dementia

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Depression
If your parent is depressed, you may observe unusual
behavior, or a general change in their normal demeanor.
Symptoms include:
• lack of drive or motivation
• failure to return phone calls
• or they just don’t “seem like themselves”.
Changes in normal routines such as gardening or meeting with
the “bridge club” or just a general social withdrawal are also
signs of depression and an indicator that assistance may be
needed.

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Forgetfulness
You may notice one or more of the
following warning signs indicating
cognitive impairment; forgetfulness
can often be the early sign of
developing dementia or
Alzheimer’s or some other type of
memory impairment.

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Forgetfulness (cont’d)
SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
Confusion
Consistent
memory lapses
Difficulty
performing
familiar tasks
Frequently
misplacing
things
Getting lost
walking or
driving
Repetitive
Speech
Loss of initiative
Unable to
complete a
sentence
Rapid mood
swings or
changes in
behavior
Changes in
personality
Cannot recall
names of
familiar people
or objects

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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
A more difficult sign to spot -- and
potentially a much more embarrassing
issue for your senior - is neglected
financial matters.
Check to see whether bills are being paid
on time, and make sure they are not being
paid twice. Lost cash or hidden
money may be signals that someone
needs to step in and help with finances.
Unopened Mail and Mishandled Finances

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If you are concerned that your parents are experiencing one or
more of the above indicators, the next step:
• Realize and forgive yourself for any denial you may be in
• Talk to your parents – often they are afraid to be a burden
• Talk to rest of your family about the care or assistance they
may need
• Make an appointment with your loved ones primary
physician and review the current medication regime and
surrounding circumstances
What can you do….

20. ONLINE
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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
Our Senior Community Liaisons are available to provide a
NO COST in-home assessment of your needs, or if you
prefer we can prepare a customized care plan based on
your unique needs over the telephone.
We offer personalized service and support in finding the
right care for your family.
What can you do….

21. ONLINE
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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
If you would like help in determining what the appropriate
amount of care is or what local resources are available to
you and your family, please feel free to call us at Senior
Places Network.
714 458 1385
What can you do….

22. ONLINE
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SENIOR PLACES NETWORK
ADVOCATING FOR SENIORS
Elena Merchand LVN,WCC,DCC
www.SeniorPlacesNetwork.com
elena@SeniorPlacesNetwork.com
714 458 1385
THANK YOU