Managing the Holiday Fall-Out

It’s not uncommon for Heather Hill Pathways to receive a flurry of “distress calls” after the Christmas period as many families try to come to terms with the increasing frailty and loss of independence of older family members.

Heather Hill, Managing Director of Heather Hill Pathways, says, “When families get together over Christmas and New Year, often it’s the first occasion in some time that younger family members have spent an extended period with mum or dad or an older family member.”

“Families may notice that mum and dad aren’t really coping. Perhaps they notice some recurrent tell-tale signs that may indicate there’s a problem”.

For family members worried about what they’re seeing in their elderly parents after Christmas, Heather recommends they ask themselves a few simple questions.

• Are the bills being paid on time or are they piling up unpaid or unopened?
• Is the house looking untidy when previously the parent was on top of things?
• Are there pots and pans that show burn marks, a clear sign they have been left on the stove and forgotten?
• Are medications being lost, doses missed or scripts going unfilled?
• Have parents lost interest in preparing or eating meals?
• Is a parent asking the same question over and over again?

She says incidents in isolation might not indicate a problem but a recurrence of some tell-tale signs may mean it’s time for a family meeting.

If you answer yes to some of the above questions, then it’s time to think about what to do next.

Heather Hill Pathways has trained nursing professionals to help you with your care planning, starting with a “Pathways Family Meeting”.   For this meeting your dedicated coordinator will work with you to identify needs and care requirements, as well as any eligibility for aged-care services and benefits.  You will also receive an overview of various financial, legal and emotional issues resulting in a personalised plan forward that best supports you.

Contact Us today to organize your Family Meeting.