Our nurses have compiled the following list... Do any sound familiar?
Not paying household bills on time or at all; Bills and important documents are not put away in appropriate places
and left lying around
Not recognizing need for, arranging, or scheduling necessary household repairs and maintenance; Lawn not mowed,
trash disposed of, and mail retrieved with any regularity
Driving safely becoming an issue such as increase in violations, accidents, easily becomes lost in familiar areas, and
signs of deteriorating vision
Not preparing meals, eating at regular times, or missing them completely; Poor selection of food is often on hand or
old outdated food left in refrigerator
Declining personal hygiene as indicated by unkempt hair, dirty or lengthy nails, poor oral hygiene, body or urine odor,
unshaven, and wearing same clothes over and over
Lack of interest in keeping up with housekeeping chores like laundry or cleaning or simply complains that it is too
difficult or tiring to continue doing them
Losing track of medications, missed doses, mistakes like overdosing or interactions resulting in health concerns if not
hospitalizations
Reluctance to leave the house, run usual shopping errands, visit friends and family, sleeping long periods, and
uninterested in usual hobbies or activities
Getting up and down stairs and in and out of home becoming difficult; Walking unsteady on level ground,
complaining of dizziness, and falls are likely or have already occurred
Not making sound decisions that are likely to cause self harm or danger to others such as leaving the stove turned
on or cigarettes burning and not recognizing an emergency or knowing the appropriate response
