How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

To determine whether or not your loved one may need elderly care or another senior service, you need to know the signs of functional decline. Keep in mind that functional decline relates to physical and cognitive function, so you need to be aware of the signs of decline for both.

Signs of Physical Decline

• Limited mobility
• Change in posture/gait
• Frailty/lack of strength
• Poor coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Limited stamina
• Exhaustion
• Poor balance
• Pain/soreness
• Signs of injury

Signs of Cognitive Decline

• Memory problems
• Mixed-up words
• Confusion
• Aggression
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Inexplicable behavior
• Poor self-care
• Poor housekeeping
• Change in financial habits

Monitor Your Loved One for Signs

People sometimes miss signs of decline because they don’t know what to look for. But more often, people miss them because they aren’t really looking. Decline happens gradually enough that family members fail to recognize the point where elderly care may be necessary. To help prevent this from happening, family members should be making a conscious effort to monitor their elderly loved ones and track changes in their functional abilities. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors
One strategy is to take stock of the things your loved one has difficulty with over the course of a typical week or month. You can do this mentally, or you might consider taking private notes. This will allow you to compare how your loved one is functioning now compared to the past. Gradual changes become much more stark if you can compare how well they’re doing now to six months or a year ago.

You may also wish to have conversations with family members. Sometimes, individual family members each notice different signs of decline, but nobody notices all of them. Conversations with your loved one will also give you a better sense of the areas where they feel they’re having the most trouble. These conversations can also give insight into signs of decline that occur in private.

Should you determine that your loved one is suffering from functional decline, you may wish to explore elderly care options. If you are considering in any of our elderly care services , we invite you to us. The care coordinators at our local offices will be happy to provide guidance about coping with decline, speak with you about your care options, and schedule your loved one for a free, in-home elderly care assessment. How to Notice Signs of Functional Decline in Seniors

Senior News

by Richard Bitner