May is Older Americans Month. It can be a time to reflect on how to make the most of our time with older adults. Without looking for “cobwebs in the corner,” visits to an elder’s home can be an opportunity to subtly assess an elderly friend or relative’s well being, and if necessary take early steps to ensure that small problems don’t become large ones.

ElderCare Solutions, Inc., a Chicagoland area geriatric care management practice that assists families in managing the care needs of elder relatives, suggests consideration of the following questions to identify subtle changes that may warrant professional investigation and intervention:

• Is household maintenance up to established standards?
• Does you’re your elder tolerate activity as he/she used to? Does he/she get out of breath or easily fatigued?
• Does your elder have interests or has he/she abandoned previously pleasurable activities?
• Does your elder have meaningful outside activity that he/she readily talks about?
• Is your elder able to identify friends with whom he/she has regular contact?
• Is your elder able to move around their home easily – can they climb stairs, get in and out of furniture – and use household equipment without difficulty?
• Can your elder recall significant people and events?
• Is there an adequate supply of food and household necessities in their home?
• Has your elder been losing weight?
• Is your elder keeping up with their health care and finances?
• Does your elder seem somehow “different”?

“Very often, problems that surface may be easily remedied with early and simple interventions,” says, a registered nurse and co-founder of ElderCare Solutions. “With support, most of our relatives age easily and gracefully, learning to adapt to the changes that are part of normal aging. Let Older Americans Month serve as an occasion to offer a caring and observant visit to ensure older adults are healthy and happy”.

For more information on caring for your elderly relatives, call the nurses of ElderCare Solutions at 630-416-2140 or visit www.eldercaresolutions.com.