Look-and-See Signs a Senior Needs Help

Watch for these 10 warning signs that your loved one needs additional help or is at risk in their own home. As a first step, consult a physician to determine whether a treatable health condition is responsible for changes in behavior.

1. Bills are not being paid on time, overdue or in collections. You may find bills ready to be mailed—but they never made it to the mailbox.

2. Gets lost when driving, has traffic tickets or minor scrapes and dents to the car.

3. Falls or trips more frequently.

4. Forgets tasks like turning off the stove.

5. Exhibits inappropriate behavior, is unusually loud or quiet, paranoid, agitated, or makes phone calls at all hours.

6. Physical problems such as burns or injury marks resulting from general weakness, forgetfulness, or possible misuse of alcohol or prescribed medications.

7. Spoiled food is not thrown away; dishes are undone, mail is piling up and general feeling of uncleanliness.

8. Losing track of medications: forgetting to take them or taking too large of a dose.

9. Poor diet and weight loss. Watch for signs of increased alcohol consumption.

10. Social withdrawal, lack of interest in hobbies, activities or even leaving the house.

Benchmark Senior Living invites you to contact us if you have questions about senior care. Before move-in, our nurses and care team will assess your loved one’s current health and review their medical history to see how we can best meet their needs. All of our residents receive a comprehensive Individual Service Plan, developed from our own assessments by a registered nurse, as well as input gathered from the resident and their family.

Learn more about one of our senior living communities in the Northeast and how Benchmark can make a difference in the life of your loved one.