4 Ways to Evaluate An Aging Loved One's Elder Care Needs

'Tis the season! It's that time of year when we gather to break bread, exchange gifts and... discuss elder care?

Discussing senior care with an elderly loved one and other family members is probably not exactly a holiday staple, but is not to be overlooked.

According to ComPsych Chief Executive Officer Richard Chaifetz in a recent USA Today article, it's a good idea to go home prepared to have a good time but to be aware of changes occuring in older parents.

So why does all of this often fall during the holiday season? If you think about it, while relatives may keep in touch throughout the year, the holidays are a time when families gather after long absences.

"A lot of people will decide not to say anything to parents when they're visiting," Chaifetz points out, "but then they'll go home and start to realize their parents might need help."And when it comes to important conversations about elder care, the earlier you can have them, the better.

Urgent situations are stressful enough, so if families are starting from square one with important decisions, it can really add on.

Here are four questions to ask yourself when trying to determine if an aging parent needs helps:

How do they look? If they used to be fashion divas or dapper Dans and now their clothes are dirty or do not match, be sure to ask the next three questions.

Is the home in good order? If the house and property were always photo-ready for Home and Garden and now they are messy or have stacks of old newspapers and magazines scattered around, that could signify other problems.

Are they eating well? If the refrigerator lacks healthy ingredients, your parents might not be meeting nutritional needs.

How are their cognitive skills? If there are unpaid bills or expired pill bottles, they might have depression or dementia.

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