Visited for the Holidays, Now What?

So…you went home for the holidays to visit family and Oh Boy, how things have changed! Did you find your parents or loved ones struggling a bit more than your last visit? Was there disorganization in the home, with medications, or with day to day functioning?  Well, our phones are ringing off the hook, so you’re not alone sadly.

Now what? This can get to an overwhelming state very quickly if not managed properly. One of the first things we recommend is to start a journal of what you are observing and try to give as many details as possible, ie: time of day and frequency of the following: behavior, mood, eating habits, toileting habits, medication habits, falls, loss of balance,  etc.  This is a great place to start. Next, if anything seems medically or psychologically off, you may want to notify their physician and give an update with description of what is happening in case there is medical intervention needed. Then, you may want to consider if help is needed, what is that going to look like.  Will you just need a few hours and can recruit the assistance needed from family, neighbors and friends? Or, is it more substantial and is it time to bring in outside resources? Or, maybe you just can’t decide or figure out the next step. Calling upon a care management professional or practitioner may be needed to help sort through all that is going on.

These can be very stressful times, but with the right guidance and support, the stress can be reduced greatly and allow you to spend more time with your loved ones in a calming, caring atmosphere, just being family. You really want someone who has been vetted and recommended by a physician, hospital, rehabilitation center, visiting nurse association, other community resource (such as your very own Neighbor’s Magazine!), friend or family member who has utilized a specific care management resource. We are here to help and ready to take your call.