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 might also want 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.

You Don't Say?!

• I just read that 4,153,237 people got married last year, not to cause any trouble, but shouldn't that be an even number?
• Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water.
• If I had a dollar for every girl that found me unattractive, they would eventually find me attractive.
• I find it ironic that the colors red, white, and blue stand for freedom until they are flashing behind you.
• A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight, live longer than the men who mention it.
• Did you know that dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish?
• I think my neighbor is stalking me as she's been googling my name on her computer. I saw it through my telescope last night.
• Money talks… but all mine ever says is good-bye.
• You're not fat, you're just… easier to see.
• If you think nobody cares whether you're alive, try missing a couple of payments.
• I can't understand why women are okay that JC Penny has an older women's clothing line named, "Sag Harbor."
• My therapist said that my narcissism causes me to misread social situations. I'm pretty sure she was hitting on me.
• My 60 year kindergarten reunion is coming up soon and I'm worried about the 175 pounds I've gained since then.
• The pharmacist asked me my birth date again today. I'm pretty sure she's going to get me something.
• The location of your mailbox shows you how far away from your house you can be in a robe before you start looking like a mental patient.
• The reason Mayberry was so peaceful and quiet was because nobody was married. Andy, Aunt Bea, Barney, Floyd, Howard, Goober, Gomer, Sam, Earnest T Bass, Helen, Thelma Lou, Clara and, of course, Opie were all single. The only married person was Otis, and he stayed drunk.

Personal Note

Happy March! As we venture into this month, I wanted to bring to you what Holidays and Special Observances occur during the month. March is the month when spring officially begins, and Daylight Savings awakens us typically the second Sunday in the month. Here are some special days you might celebrate…

• Mardi Gras [aka "Fat Tuesday"] – March 1…the final feasting day before the Christian tradition of Lent
• Lent – starts on March 2 [Ash Wednesday] – April 14…a Christian holy period representing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness [Matt. 4:1-11]
• Daylight Savings Time – March 13…time to "spring forward" and set the clocks an hour ahead
• St. Patrick's Day – March 17…a shamrock is worn representing the Trinity because of its three leaves
• March Equinox – March 20…also called the vernal or spring equinox…marking the beginning of spring!

Have you ever wondered why Christian's place ash on their forehead on Ash Wednesday? The ash is usually in the shape of a cross, and it represents our belief in Jesus Christ that He died for our sins and was resurrected from the dead three days later. During this period, we spend time in prayer and fasting and show our grief and mourning for our sins. One final thought…

For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.
1 Tim. 2:5, 6 NLT

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