Articles
Aging parents: 8 warning signs of health problems
Content
1. Are your parents able to take care of themselves?
2. Are your parents experiencing memory loss?
3. Are your parents safe in their home?
4. Are your parents safe on the road?
5. Have your parents lost weight?
6. Are your parents in good spirits?
7. Are your parents still social?
8. Are your parents able to get around?
Taking action
2. Are your parents experiencing memory loss?
Everyone forgets things from time to time. Modest memory problems are a fairly common part of aging, and sometimes medication side effects or underlying conditions contribute to memory loss.
There's a difference, though, between normal changes in memory and the type of memory loss that makes it hard to do everyday things such as driving and shopping. Signs of this type of memory loss might include:
- Asking the same questions over and over again
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Not being able to follow instructions
- Becoming confused about time, people and places
