IN Fox Chapel Area Winter 2018 | Page 56

INDUSTRY INSIGHT ELDER ADVOCACY SPONSORED CONTENT After the Holidays – Telltale Signs That Your Aging Loved Ones Need Assistance Long Distance Caregiving The simple fact is, so many of us live away from our loved ones: in different towns, different states, even different time zones. Being a long-distance caregiver puts a lot of stress on a person, and it leaves people scrambling to go from caring for ourselves to caring for our elders. That’s why long-distance care planning is so important. Long-distance caregivers have the highest annual expenses compared to co-resident caregivers or nearby caregivers. MyElder™ is here to work with you to create a customized, thorough care plan. Which means less will be overlooked – and your loved one can receive the best quality of care. Call today for more information on how MyElder can help you and your loved ones. 821 Main St, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 412.782.4534 myelder.com aring for older relatives can be taxing, and not living nearby can intensify the challenges. During holiday visits, many people realize for the first time that their parent or loved one may need additional help to continue living comfortably at home, or that possibly it is time to find an alternative living situation. Being proactive when you see changes in physical and/or mental abilities can prevent injuries and illnesses, allowing for better long-term quality of life. MyElder – Pittsburgh provides an individualized assessment and finds the best possible options for care for you and your loved one. Red-flags That Assistance is Needed: • Loss of appetite or weight loss • Neglecting personal hygiene, such as, bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, and nail care. • Noticeable change in the tidiness and/or cleanliness of the home. • Inappropriate behavior, such as being unusually loud, quiet, paranoid, or agitated, or making phone calls at unusual hours. • Change in relationships, causing friends and neighbors to express concern. • Physical injuries such as bruises or burns, which may have resulted from general weakness, forgetfulness, or misuse of alcohol and/or medication. • Decreasing or stopping participation in activities that were once enjoyable, such as book club, dining with friends, or attending religious services. • Forgetfulness, resulting in unopened mail, unfilled prescriptions, or missed appointments. • Mishandling of finances, such as not paying bills, paying them more than once or losing money. • Unusual purchases or spending, such as in increase of purchases from television advertisements or donating to multiple charities. Changes in physical and/or cognitive abilities occurring with age can be difficult to detect for older adults and their family members, friends, and caregivers. If you suspect that your loved one needs assistance, inform their physician of these changes and contact an elder advocate. 821 Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 412.782.4534 myelder.com 54 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com