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How to determine if services are needed

How do you know if the elderly relative you care about could benefit from services?

If you are concerned about your elderly relative, here are some simple questions to help you evaluate their potential problems.

Does your loved one:
  • Have poor personal hygiene? Have dirty clothes? Smell of urine?
  • Report falls? Seem unsteady when walking or have problems with steps?
  • Have a weight loss?
  • Seem sick more than usual?
  • Get out as much as usual to church or with friends?
  • Have difficulty driving? Are there new dents in the car?
  • Misplace items like keys or miss appointments?
  • Seem depressed or worried?
  • Take multiple medications or miss doses of medications?


In the home:
  • Does the refrigerator have outdated food or no food in it?
  • Does the home seem in need of repairs or is it dirty or cluttered?
  • Is mail piling up? Are bills unpaid?


What to do if you do notice some of these potential problems:

Ask about your concerns gently and listen to your relative’s responses. Offer help and reassurance. Don’t be angry, or annoyed. Stay focused on what is needed now.

Check with others to confirm your observations with clergy, friends and neighbors. Consider keeping a journal of problems to help in evaluations.

Encourage your relative to have a medical check up. Sometimes confusion can come from medical problems like dehydration, depression, medications or illness.

Long Term Care Consultation Getting services sooner that later may help the elderly remain independent and in their homes longer. Each Minnesota county provides a free Long Term Care Consultation in the home to help assess an older person’s situation and suggest services to assist them. It may be setting up rides to church or to the doctor, ordering home delivered meals, light housekeeping, a home health aide for assistance in personal cares or skilled nursing visits. Call your County Human Services to schedule this consultation service. Click here for more information about Family Services.
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