Holiday visits are often the first time in months you see Mom in person, and the first time you notice changes. Here’s what to look for. Your MoveMyMom Advisor can help with every step, and our help is always at no cost to families.
Talk to your MoveMyMom Advisor
Don’t panic, and don’t make big decisions on the spot. Talk with your siblings. Then talk with Mom, gently, about what you noticed.
The kitchen often tells the story. Expired food, burnt pots, or a stove left on are safety concerns. So is a fridge with almost nothing in it. Notice whether Mom is cooking at all, or living on snacks.
Watch Mom get up from a chair, walk to the bathroom, and handle steps. Holding onto furniture to get around (“furniture walking”) is a common sign of fall risk.
Look at pill bottles: dates, refill counts, and whether the numbers make sense. Mixed-up medications are a real safety concern and a good reason to talk with Mom’s doctor.
Write down what you noticed, with dates. Share it with siblings, then plan a calm conversation with Mom. If you’re not sure what level of help she needs, a senior living advisor can help you think it through. If a move is ahead and the family sees things differently, a senior move manager can be a calm guide once planning starts.
If you’re worried, your MoveMyMom Advisor can help you think through next steps.
Gently, if the moment is right. Many families wait until after.
That’s common. A family meeting, with Mom included if she’s able, can help everyone start from the same facts.
Your Mom needs help, and maybe you could use some help, too. Give us a call at 877-575-9900 or begin online.
