Signals to look for

Using the guidelines of the American Health Care Association, the following are signs that it's time to discuss long-term care:

Isolation / Depression

Is your loved one isolated from social interaction or activities?

Daily Activities / Eating Habits

Is he or she having a difficult time walking, dressing, or eating?

Bruises / falls

Has there been an increased susceptibility to falling and bruising?.

Cognitive Ability

Is your loved one's mental reasoning ability at a level where his or her personal safety or the safety of others is at risk?

Increasing Medical Needs

Does your loved one need ongoing medical care that you or he or she cannot provide?. Does he or she need more and more help remembering to take medications?

Medication Errors/Missed Physician Appointments

Is your senior keeping his or her doctors' appointments?. Is he or she confusing medication schedules, taking meds incorrectly, or not taking them at all?

Household Management

Can he or she still manage the components of running a household,. such as keeping a checkbook or paying the bills, or maintaining the property?. Has there been a change in how the house is kept?

Caregiver Burnout

Is a family member exhausted due to amount of care or supervision your loved one needs?