What To Do If You Notice Changes With Your Loved One When Visiting Them at Christmas?

If you usually are away from your loved one and you are seeing them this Christmas, it is a good time to establish whether their needs have changed since you last saw them.

Things to pay attention to:

• Mobility - Are they finding it increasingly difficult to get around their home? Do they appear to be more unsteady around their home or when out and about?

• Pain/Fatigue - Do they seem to be struggling with pain or fatigue and is this impacting their ability to do their daily activities?

• Mood - Does it seem like their mood is deteriorating? Do they talk about feeling lonely or not seeing anybody for days?

• Falls - Have they slipped into conversation that they had a fall or a trip? Or have you noticed they are catching their foot when stepping entrance ways or steps?

• Memory - Are they finding it difficult to recall appointments or recent events?

Taking notes of your concerns and discussing them with their GP may be beneficial to ensure they are aware of any changes. They will also be able to review your loved one from a medical perspective and to ensuring the

An Occupational Therapy Assessment may also be useful. An OT can look at ways to make the home environment safer and to enable your loved one to continue to be as independent as possible in their home. This may involve looking at small changes that can be made to the enviroment or aids and adpations that could be beneficial.

Occupational Therapy input can also look at ways to maintain social engagements and help to prevent loneliness and social isolation. It can enable them to continue getting out and about or accessing social and community groups.  

Speak with Catherine at Quality Life Enablement to establish how she can support you and your loved one, if you find their needs are changing. Call 07424555188 or contact at info@qualitylifeenablement.co.uk