Garden variety memory lapses, like misplacing car keys, are normal, but where do you draw the line? A good rule of thumb is that if you notice that your loved one has repeated episodes of memory loss, and/or troubling personality changes or difficulty performing everyday tasks, like driving or financial management, it could be time for a crisis elder care plan. Here are some red flags to watch for:
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Asking the same questions over and over again;
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Repeating the same stories;
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Difficulty paying bills, balancing the check book or reading a bank or credit card statement;
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Difficulty adding and subtracting;
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Late notices and missed payments, unopened mail accumulating;
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Paying the same bill multiple times in the same month;
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Difficulty performing everyday tasks (getting lost and being unable to find your way home, forgetting how to operate a home appliance);
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Decline in personal hygiene (not bathing or brushing teeth, wearing the same clothing day after day);
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Inappropriate attire, behavior, statements and/or language;
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Confusion or word-finding difficulty (ex. asking where the “bread-thingy” is instead of where the toaster is;
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Inability to retain new information; and/or
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Irritability or foul language, behavior consistent with depression, apathy, anxiety, agitation, delusions and hallucinations, wandering, aggression
If you notice one or more of these signs, it may be a good idea to contact an elder lawyer without delay. An elder lawyer can help you find the best care and a way to pay for that care with public benefits, while protecting your life savings and the family home.
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