Checking In On Loved Ones This Holiday Season

Home Care Blog>In Home Care  |  October 30, 2019

Checking in on a loved one this holiday season | You may have some concerns or worries about how your loved one is doing. Are they eating well? Are they able to complete the daily tasks they need to do each day? Since many seniors live alone, it can be hard to know how they are doing unless you check in with them regularly.

The holiday season is a good time to check in on your loved one and make sure that they’re getting the things that they need.

Use this checklist to determine whether you need to make any adjustments to your loved one’s routine.

Look – Checking in on both your loved one’s appearance and the appearance of the home can be good indicators of how things are going. Does your loved one seem happy? Is their home clean? Look for things like dirty clothing, dirty dishes, or messy living spaces.

Listen – How is your loved one speaking to you? Have you noticed any changes in speech or behavior? If so, this can sometimes be a sign that something else is going on. Ask them how they’ve been spending their time and note whether they’ve been keeping up with their regular activities.

Smell – Smell can be a good indicator of whether your loved one is able to keep themselves and their surroundings clean. If your loved one smells clean, chances are they are having no problem taking care of their hygiene.

Taste – Tasting some of your loved one’s food can help you determine whether they are able to feed themselves well. And while you’re at it, toss out any expired food and medications to make room for fresh food.

Feel – Next time you give your loved one a hug, take note of how they feel. Are they too skinny? Is their skin rough? These sorts of things can help you figure out if your loved one needs any extra care.

Checking in over the phone – If you are unable to check in in person with your loved one, a phone call can give you some good indicators of how they are doing.

When you call them, ask questions about how they’re doing. You’ll want to be more specific than just “how are you.” For example, asking them what they had for lunch can tell you whether they are eating well. It can also help you determine whether they are having any memory loss. You can also ask them how they’ve been spending their time to see whether they are still involved in activities.

Taking the time to check in with your loved one regularly – even if they don’t live nearby – can help to establish a baseline so that you can be proactive if something changes.

Checking in with a loved one this holiday season – Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help

If you’re noticing that your loved one is having trouble with daily tasks, take action as soon as you can. Talk to your loved one to find out more about what they’re having trouble with, and why. You may want to schedule a doctor’s appointment to discuss the issues further and find a solution for them.

Finally, it may be time for your senior to get in-home care to help them with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or bathing. It’s important to choose a caregiver that your loved one is comfortable with and that you are confident in. While it’s important to be proactive, don’t be afraid to take a little bit of time in order to choose a caregiving service that offers the services you need and is also experienced.

At Comfort Keepers^®, we create individual care plans for every client. These plans include wellness goals that consider physical, mental and emotional health. Our caregivers can help support physician-prescribed diet and exercise plans, provide medication reminders, provide transportation to appointments and help seniors engage in the activities they love the most. And, our caregivers can help senior stay connected with loved ones through video chats, phone calls and care updates. We believe that every senior should experience the best in life.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home.

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