Are there signs your loved one might need extra care?

WORDS: Melinda Burton PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

As the holiday season wraps up, a leading aged care pioneer says Christmas and New Year offer the ideal opportunity to reconnect and check in on our ageing loved ones. For some, Christmas is a time to enjoy a rare, extended visit with parents or grandparents, allowing family members to notice changes that might have gone undetected throughout the year.

Odyssey Lifestyle Care Communities founder and CEO Phil Usher says there are several key physical and psychological factors that could indicate whether care should be considered for your ageing parents or grandparents.

“Families have a duty of care to observe elderly loved ones and it’s essential that when we come together, people know what to look out for and what the warning signs are,” says Mr Usher.

“Physical warning signs include seniors holding onto furniture to steady themselves, not being able to see properly, needing assistance to sit down or get up and if they are reluctant to walk upstairs or downstairs.

“Another sign is weight loss, which could indicate they are not maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet. It’s a good idea to have a think about the previous family get-together and compare how your elderly loved one was physically then.”

While psychological warning signs can be more difficult to identify, Mr Usher says observing interactions with others can help determine how the person is mentally.

“If your ageing parent or grandparent is actively engaging in conversations, take note of whether they have good short-term recall or if they are repeating the same stories or questions,” says Mr Usher.

“Asking things such as ‘how did I get here today?’ or ‘what is today?’ or if they fail to remember names of close relatives, these are warning signs to be aware of.”

Mr Usher says once you’ve made observations and if concerns are identified, it’s time to approach the key decision-makers in the family and discuss possible solutions and options.

“It’s vital that any warning signs are not ignored, or it can become dangerous for your elderly loved ones,” says Mr Usher. “Approach the conversation gently and express your care as a family towards your ageing loved one. Sometimes, the need outweighs the potential awkwardness in opening up discussions like this.”

Mr Usher says Odyssey has a complimentary and no-obligation service, Aged Care Assist, that offers unbiased and tailored advice to the elderly on which options suit their needs and are available to them.

“The process of seeking aged care services and the number of options can be overwhelming, so much so, that it’s often referred to as a minefield,” says Mr Usher. “Odyssey has a program that guides families through the decision-making and transition process of a senior who needs to enter aged care.”

“Anyone who is seeking aged care for themselves or someone else, book an appointment with us. If you feel the quality and enjoyment of life for yourself or an elderly loved one has become compromised, it’s time to start exploring the options.

“This could be concerns related to health, isolation, boredom or loneliness and there are solutions and options for everyone.”

“Odyssey’s Aged Care Assist is a complimentary service that is non-bias and obligation-free, whether the appointment results in a recommendation to move to Odyssey or otherwise, we’re here to help seniors achieve the best outcome.”

Odyssey is located at Robina on the corner of Scottsdale Drive and The Crestway and currently has another development underway at Chevron Island.

The Odyssey model is built around a resort-style environment where couples stay together, pets are welcome, grandkids can have sleepovers and most importantly, the dignity, independence and well-being of residents are highly respected.

Visit here: www.odysseycommunities.com.au for more information.