How to notice signs of functional decline
RICHARD BITNER
Visiting Angels
Courtesy Senior News
After a certain age , some level of decline should be expected year after year . In our forties and fifties , this decline is incremental . It happens slowly , and while it can affect our physical and mental performance , most of us are still able to live our lives comfortably .
But in our sixties and beyond , decline begins to speed up . Eventually , seniors reach a point of functional decline . This is the point where elderly care is required for seniors to live comfortably and safely .
It can be hard to spot functional decline . While decline accelerates in seniors , it still happens gradually enough that functional decline can go unnoticed . As a result , seniors who require elderly care in some form — either from family caregivers , in-home elderly care professionals , or facility living — end up without the support they need .
So how can you spot signs of functional decline in elderly adults ?
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To determine whether or not your loved one may need elderly care or another senior service , you need to know the signs of functional decline . Keep in mind that functional decline relates to physical and cognitive function , so you need to be aware of the signs of decline for both .
Signs of Physical Decline
• Limited mobility
• Change in posture / gait
• Frailty / lack of strength
• Poor coordination
• Difficulty breathing
• Limited stamina
• Exhaustion
• Poor balance
• Pain / soreness
• Signs of injury
Signs of cognitive decline
• Memory problems
• Mixed-up words
• Confusion
• Aggression
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Inexplicable behavior
• Poor self-care
• Poor housekeeping
• Change in financial habits
Monitor your loved one for signs
People sometimes miss signs of decline because they don ’ t know what to look for . But more often , people miss them because they aren ’ t really looking .
Decline happens gradually enough that family members fail to recognize the point where elderly care may be necessary .
To help prevent this from happening , family members should be making a conscious effort to monitor their elderly loved ones , and track changes in their functional abilities .
One strategy is to take stock of the things your loved one has difficulty with over the course of a typical week or month . You can do this mentally , or you might consider taking private notes . This will allow you to compare how your loved one is functioning now compared to the past . Gradual changes become much more stark if you can compare how well they ’ re doing now to six months or a year ago .
You may also wish to have conversations with family members . Sometimes , individual family members each notice different signs of decline , but nobody notices all of them .
Conversations with your loved one will also give you a better sense of the areas where they feel they ’ re having the most trouble . These conversations can also give insight into signs of decline that occur in private .
Should you determine that your loved one is suffering from functional decline , you may wish to explore elderly care options .
Grants available for caregivers of older adults
The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging ( MNRAAA ) is offering a new funding opportunity , to address the service needs of older adults and caregivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Funding will be awarded to organizations that provide services for people in MNRAAA ’ s 27-county service area .
Services must meet requirements outlined in the Request for Grant Applications for CARES Act Supportive Services and CARES Act Caregiver Services .
Non-profit agencies , units of government , and for-profit organizations with relevant expertise and experience , not currently receiving Older Americans
Act ( OAA ) funding through MN- RAAA , are encouraged to submit applications .
Current providers of services funded by MNRAAA may submit applications for new services only .
MNRAAA will make awards in amounts of up to $ 25,000 .
Funds will be accepted on an ongoing basis through Dec . 31 , or until all available funds have been expended , whichever comes first .
Awarded funds must be expended and project activities completed by Sept . 30 , 2021 .
To download the CARES Act Request for Grant Application , forms and resource documents , go to https :// mnraaa . org / grants-management /.
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Senior Connections Sept / Oct 2020
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