Do I Need Help from ElderCare Resources?

If you answer "yes" to four or more of the questions below, call ElderCare Resources at (541) 344-7712 to set up a consultation.

Note that "you" generally refers to the family caregiver, such as spouse or adult child.

"The elder" or "disabled family member" are placeholders for whomever it is who's in need of help. This is most often an aged parent or friend, but could be a brain-injured person, a developmentally disabled adult, a cognitively disabled adult, or an adult whose memory and/or decision-making ability is compromised to a serious degree.

Medical:
___ Does the elder take the wrong medications, or forget to take them, or fail to follow medication instructions?
___ Do you no longer have time for all the doctor's appointments?
___ Has the medical condition become too complicated for you to manage?

Safety:
___ Has an elder or disabled family member wandered away from home?
___ Have you found burnt pans in the kitchen, or a fire unattended, or other such dangers?
___ Does your family member fall, or injure him/herself…too often?

Financial:
___ Are bills left unpaid? Is mail left unopened?
___ Is the checkbook often overdrawn, or credit card limits far exceeded?
___ Is your loved one confused about money and financial affairs?
___ Can he or she no longer read or write well enough to manage a checkbook?

Sleep:
___ Are your nights interrupted by repeated calls for help?
___ Do you feel tired in the mornings, like you aren't getting enough sleep?
___ Is your family member unable to sleep regular hours?

Health:
___ Has hygiene neglect become an embarrassment or health issue?
       (examples: same clothes worn repeatedly; strong bodily odors; unkempt hair)
___ Check the ‘fridge or pantry: Is there no fresh or nutritious food?
___ Has your elder lost weight?

Abuse or Neglect:
___ Is someone taking advantage of the financial resources?
___ Has any family member's frustration boiled over into violence?
       (Violence includes verbal outbursts or abuse, banging or hitting walls/objects,
       shaking or hitting another person, or threats to cause harm.)

Isolation:
___ Has your elder or disabled friend become isolated, sad, confused, anxious, or angry?
___ Have you become isolated, sad, confused, anxious, or angry?
 

If you answered "yes" to four or more of the questions above, call ElderCare Resources at (541) 344-7712.
We can help your family find stability again.

• National Association of
  Geriatric Care Managers
• Oregon Guardianship Association