Cheryl Mathieu Ph.D., M.S.W.
5911 E. Spring Street, Suite 372
Long Beach, CA 90808

(562) 233-7604
Fax (562) 430-3141
cmathieu@charter.net

How do I know when my aging loved one needs assistance?

Here are some WARNING SIGNS:

PHYSICAL

• Difficulty walking

• Frequently falling or unsteadiness (presence of bruising)

• Poor hygiene or grooming (wearing stained clothes, body odor, infrequent bathing or washing hair, wearing the same clothes day after day)

• Changes in eating habits (snacks only, decreased appetite, eating one meal a day, forgetting to eat, poor food choices, lack of food in the home)

• Incontinence

• Unsafe home environment (unclean, cluttered walkways, poor lighting, home needing repairs, broken or missing smoke detectors, lack of security-leaving doors unlocked, leaving stove on)

• Significant weight loss or gain

FINANCIAL

• Unpaid and past due bills (especially home insurance, utilities, home mortgage)

• Unopened mail

• Unable to manage checkbook

• Unable to deal with money properly

• Victimized by scams or financial abuse

COGNITIVE

• Delusions or hallucinations (perception of objects or events that others don't see, holding false beliefs)

• Calling children repeatedly at inappropriate hours of day or night

• Poor or decreased judgment

• Paranoia and forgetfulness

• Wanders off and can't find their way back home

• Leaving stove on, unplugging refrigerator

• Little or no recognition of friends or family members

• Forgetting to take medications, or taking it improperly

• Increasingly forgetful (missed doctor's appointments, family events, forgetting names, word finding difficulties, losing things)?

• Frequent repetition, physical/verbal abuse

EMOTIONAL

• Isolation

• Mood changes (anger, suspicion, paranoia, agitated)

• Depression (crying, sadness, lack of energy, increase or decrease in sleeping and/or appetite, feeling hopeless)

• Lack of interest in formerly enjoyable activities (isolating, stopped participating in social, church or volunteer activities)?

CAREGIVERS

• Are you or other caregivers unable due to constraints of physical distance, time, physical ability, or finances to deal with managing the care of your elder?