It is often difficult for families to know when they need to step in and provide assistance or even take protective action with regard to an aging parent or loved one. This difficulty is compounded by the opposition an aging parent may show toward any type of help. The following is a checklist families can use to evaluate whether an aging parent or loved one may need help or even protective interventions. The more signs that appear, the more likely help may be needed.
Physical
___ Fluctuating weight (rapid weight loss or gain)
___ Dehydration
___ Discoloration of limbs, finger, toes or lips (lack of oxygen or blood flow)
___ Balance problems
___ Frequent falls
___ Poor hygiene (no bathing, uncombed hair, dirty clothes)
___ Offensive body odor (urine, feces or uncleanliness)
___ Insomnia or too little or other out of character sleep patterns
___ Excessive sleeping
___ Unexplained burns, bruises, scratches, or skin tears
___ Signs of incontinence not properly cared for
___ Dirty fingernails and caked dirt in skin creases
___ Difficulty seeing or hearing
Home environment
___ Excessive unclean dishes piled in the sink & counters
___ Overflowing garbage cans
___ Full toilet
___ Unkempt yard (overgrown grass, litter, tools strewn about)
___ Unusual carpet stains
___ Floors that have not been swept or vacuumed
___ Excessive clutter (newspapers, piles of junk mail)
___ Clutter blocking pathways
___ Excessive prescription bottles around the house
___ Piles of unopened mail
___ Piles of dirty clothing
___ Filthy bedding
___ Unusual odors (urine, garbage, rotting food, unclean pets)
___ Not enough food in the house
___ Failure to turn off stove or water after use
___ Rotten food on the stove or in the fridge
___ Vermin present in the home
___ Doors or windows left open in inclimate weather
___ Acquisition of numerous pets, usually strays
___ Pet feces and urine in the house
___ Lights not working throughout the home
Financial
___ Unexplained missing funds or property
___ Checks written for cash in large amounts in round figures ($500, $1000, etc.)
___ Bounced Checks
___ Excessive payments for services
___ Bills for utilities and phone unpaid
___ Utilities being shut off
___ Uncharacteristic financial transactions
___ Large gifts or loans to strangers or a new “friend”
___ Participation in mail scams such as the Liberian Lottery
___ Sudden changes in estate planning documents (Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney)
___ Purchase of inappropriate financial products such as annuities
___ Unnecessary purchase of unneeded expensive items such as cars and RVs
___ Sudden changes in ownership of assets like the house or accounts
___ Sudden changes in beneficiary designations of assets or insurance policies
___ Termination of long time professionals (attorneys, financial planners or CPAs) to replace with a caregiver’s suggested replacement
___ Unexplained and unfounded mistrust of a family member encouraged by caregiver
Emotional
___ Mood swings
___ Abusive behavior
___ Unexplained fear when a particular person is present
___ Emotional outbursts at inappropriate times
___ Lack of motivation (uncharacteristic)
___ Uncharacteristically anti-social behavior
___ Suddenly ceasing communication with family or friends
___ Suddenly stopping social activities
___ Inexplicable refusal to leave home or a room in the home
___ Paranoia (uncharacteristic)
Cognitive
___ Confusion
___ Forgetfulness
___ Long term memory loss
___ Difficulty thinking of words
___ Repetitive questions
___ Auditory or Visual hallucinations
___ Inability to maintain conversations
___ Loss of ability to read
Other
___ Dents/scratches on the car
___ Obvious signs of the vehicle being in an accident
___ Unexplained absences for long periods of time
___ Wandering
___ Unfilled or untaken prescriptions
___ The inappropriate presence of a new “friend”
