Wednesday Health & Wellness

Caring for an Aging Loved One: What Should Concern You?

If you are a caregiver for an aging parent, partner, or loved one, you learn quickly that small changes matter.

Not every ache is an emergency.

Not every bad day means decline.

But patterns? Patterns tell a story.

Here are signs that deserve your attention.

💧 Changes in Drinking Water

If they suddenly stop drinking fluids, ask why.

Sometimes older adults avoid water because:

• They fear accidents

• They don’t want to get up to use the bathroom

• They are embarrassed about incontinence

Dehydration can quickly lead to:

• Weakness

• Dizziness

• Confusion

• Falls

• Urinary tract infections

Encourage small, frequent sips throughout the day.

🧠 New or Worsening Confusion

Sudden confusion is not always dementia.

It can be:

• A urinary tract infection (very common in older adults)

• Dehydration

• Medication reaction

• Electrolyte imbalance

If confusion comes on quickly — call primary care.

Gradual memory changes over months may signal cognitive decline, but sudden changes require evaluation.

😣 Increased Aches and Pains

Chronic pain is common with aging.

But new, severe, or worsening pain needs attention.

Watch for:

• Guarding movements

• Refusal to walk

• Complaints of back or hip pain

• Grimacing

Pain can also show up as agitation or withdrawal.

🌬 Breathing Changes

Seek medical advice if you notice:

• Shortness of breath at rest

• Labored breathing

• Swelling in legs

• Persistent coughing

Breathing changes should never be ignored.

🍽 Loss of Appetite

Occasional low appetite happens.

But ongoing refusal to eat or drink may signal:

• Depression

• Infection

• Medication side effects

• Swallowing difficulties

🍽 Difficulty Chewing or Swallowing

Watch for:

• Coughing while eating

• Food pocketing in the mouth

• Taking much longer to finish meals

• Avoiding certain textures

Swallowing problems increase risk for aspiration pneumonia.

🪑 Trouble Getting Up or Down

If they suddenly struggle more with:

• Standing from a chair

• Getting out of bed

• Walking to the bathroom

This could indicate:

• Weakness

• Balance issues

• Pain

• Neurological changes

Falls often follow mobility decline.

👀 Staring Into Space or Not Responding

Occasional daydreaming is normal.

But concerning signs include:

• Not responding when spoken to

• Responding inappropriately

• Sudden blank episodes

This may signal:

• Cognitive change

• Medication reaction

• Neurological issues

📓 Track Patterns

One isolated event may not mean much.

But frequency matters.

Start noting:

• When changes started

• How often they occur

• What seems to trigger them

• Any recent medication changes

Patterns help physicians make better decisions.

📞 When to Call the Primary Care Physician

Reach out if you notice:

• Sudden confusion

• Rapid decline

• Refusal to eat or drink

• Breathing difficulty

• Repeated falls

• Significant behavior changes

You are not “overreacting.”

You are advocating.

Caring for someone aging is not about panic.

It’s about awareness.

Small changes today can prevent bigger problems tomorrow.

And sometimes the most important thing you can do…

is pay attention.

— Lady Flava 🌻