Being There by Being Aware

American Geriatrics Society

Identifying Warning Signs of Illness in a Parent or Loved One

Mom just hasn’t been herself lately. Dad seems increasingly forgetful. You see the signs, but assume this is all part of the aging process.

Perhaps the most difficult time for children and parents is recognizing and accepting that a significant medical problem may be causing these problems. Many seniors may be resistant to these clues, which makes it even more important for family and caregivers to quickly identify the problem and arrange a visit to a health care provider.

Many medical problems can be treated once identified. For example, depression is a common condition that can be treated, yet the signs for it are often overlooked.

The majority of older adults tend to minimize health problems, but loved ones should not accept the problem at face value. Serious diseases and conditions often appear as uncommon or unexpected symptoms in older adults.

According to Sharon Levine, M.D., a member of the American Geriatrics Society, there are several potential warning signs to look for that could indicate a serious illness. These symptoms include:

• General complaints of weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss or lack of appetite
• Walking difficulty, imbalance, dizziness or frequent falls
• New onset urinary incontinence
• Sudden change in behavior or ability
• Confusion or appearing disheveled and disorganized

Dr. Levine recommends respecting a loved one’s ability to make his or her own decisions, by outlining the benefits of seeing a physician to just explore possible health issues. It is important that you make your loved one feel as though he or she is still in control.

AGS’ Foundation for Health in Aging offers a free online resource, Eldercare At Home, which provides guidelines on how to handle common caregiving problems and what symptoms might require immediate medical attention. The guide can be accessed at www.heathinaging.org/public_education/eldercare.

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