Take a “New” Year’s Look

Take a “New” Year’s Look

By Brenda Lecco, CMC

The holidays are a time of family gatherings and frequently relatives that haven’t visited in a while detect a decline in loved one.  The new year is a great time to take a new look at the health of a loved one in your care.  There is a medical specialty for older adults called Geriatrics.  A Geriatrician is a physician specialty that focuses on the unique health needs of seniors.  A geriatrician can perform tests that will detect memory loss, geriatric depression, bone loss that might put an older adult at risk for fractures and can also take a look at possible medication interactions.  Winter Park Memorial hospital is the home for the Centre for Aging and Wellness.  They offer a specialty team that can assess older adults. Please visit their website:  http://www.seniorhealthmedicine.com/patient-resources/faq/who-is-eligible-for-an-assessment.  You can call them at 407.599.6060.

The new year can also be a great time to do a safety inspection of your older adults’ homes.  A change in vision and gait that often accompanies advanced age can make seemingly harmless items, like throw rugs and cords, dangerous.  Please take a look around your home and identify objects that might be a tripping or slipping hazard.  Make sure grab bars are installed where necessary and that pathway lighting is adequate.  AARP offers an online “Home Safety Checklist”: http://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/info-2014/make-your-home-a-safe-home.html.

Of course most New Year’s resolutions include a promise to eat healthier.  Nutritional needs change as you age and medications can often make an impact on dietary choices.  While most of the healthy eating strategies that we follow today are applicable to seniors, some reduction in portion size might be necessary since older adults typically need less calories.  Seniors need more calcium and might need a “B12” supplement.  A loss in appetite can be caused by medication, ill-fitting dentures or depression.  This might be a good time to discuss your diet with your physician or a registered dietician.

Lastly, January is a good time to make sure your affairs are in order.  Do you have a Durable Power of Attorney and/or Healthcare Surrogate?  What is the status of your will and/or your living will?  Do you no longer need an insurance policy?  Do you know where all your documents are kept and have you shared this information with the person you would authorize to access them if necessary?  The National Institute on Aging offers an online “Age Page” that gives you a good outline for getting your documents order: http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/getting-your-affairs-order.