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You have a parent or relative who.....
- Has lost interest in his/her personal appearance or hygiene
- Has a medical condition requiring an increased level of attention
- Forgets to take his/her medication as prescribed
- Has had a drop in activity level
- Has difficulty walking
- Shows evidence of recent bumps, bruises, or burns
- Fails to recall the names of familiar people, places, or objects
- Has difficulty in performing everyday tasks
- Is acting strangely and/or has memory lapses or confusion
- Needs help with meals, grocery shopping, or housekeeping chores
- Has increasing difficulties handling household maintenance
- Recently lost a spouse
- Can no longer drive or take public transportation without assistance
- Has no Will or Advance Medical Directive
- Is managing well at present, but has made no plans for the future
If you answered YES to one or more of these, the warning signs are there!
The most important step you can take is to direct your focus to the future - planning ahead. Delaying or avoiding the inevitable is both undesirable and risky. Your parent or relative WILL grow older, and his/her needs WILL intensify as physical and mental abilities decline.
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