Health & Fitness
HOLIDAY VOYEUR
Watching without letting them know that you are watching...that's how you'll get the real story on an aging Mom or Dad.
O.K. …maybe voyeur isn’t quite the right word… you can be the judge.
Holidays are the perfect time when friends and families get together with some frequency. It is also the perfect time to “watch and take note” of how everyone is doing. You know what I mean...it’s the short observations that you make to your spouse AFTER everyone is headed home. Like, “Boy, Uncle Jim seems to be losing a little weight since he started walking.” OR “Aunt Linda seemed a little down…do you think she’s feeling alright?” OR “Dad looked pretty good, but Mom seemed to be hovering over him more than usual.”
If you are in your late 40s to early 50s, I hope you get to spend time with your parents over the holidays. When you’re together, please try to take notice of their physical and emotional being. You’ll want to note how they maneuver around the dining room table and chairs… how easy is it for them to get up off the chair?… does their movement show signs of instability?... Do they seem to be extra cautious when moving around?... Do they seem like they are present but not really participating like usual.
Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
If your folks are in their 60s and 70s, you may notice the increasing number of missteps; or they seem startled as they turn around and nearly bump into someone… and it is happening more often; and then there is the number of times they scold themselves OR their spouse for not paying attention.
If they are in their late 70s and 80s... you’ll want to note whether they seem somewhat disconnected from the rest of the group. Do they pick a chair and stay there for the whole time? Do they express a fear of falling?
Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As a holiday voyeur, your observations can give you some insight into the health and well-being of those closest to you… and might also provide the basis for good dialogue.
Falls injury is the number 1 cause of injury and death for those over aged 70…and the number 1 cause of injury for people aged 65 and above. The subtle signs of instability are there so we can take action for a better, longer life.
Keep moving!
Mike
