Visiting your aging parents for the holidays after not having seen them for a while can be eye-opening. You might notice some changes – confusion when they’re relaying a story, less agility when they’re getting out of a chair – but there also could be some serious red flags that your parents might need the help of a caregiver or a different living situation.
Below you will find a list of things to look for. This was originally published by Safety Mom, and can be found here!
Change In Routine – Have they lost interest in social activities they used to engage in and/or have they distanced themselves from friends and/or family?
Poor Eating Habits – Check the refrigerator, is it well stocked or is it pretty bare with expired food? Are they eating regularly?
Not Managing Finances – Are there stacks of mail and bills unopened? Take a glance at their check book and bank statements to make sure they’re paying bills promptly, not bouncing check or overspending.
Disregard For Personal Hygiene – Is your mom the type that has always been perfectly dressed and groomed? Has she lost interest in her appearance? Does your dad seem rather disheveled? These could be signs of depression or another issue.
Frequent Injuries – Chances are your parents might not want you to know if they’ve slipped and fallen or injured themselves. Look for signs of bruises, a limp and/or that they’re favoring one arm over another. Check the house for fall hazards such as throw rugs, clutter on the floor – especially near stairs, slippery surfaces in the bathroom and poor lighting on staircases.
It’s hard to admit that your parents are getting older and need help but it’s important to take a realistic look at the situation.
Nov 8, 2012
Veterans Day
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday honoring armed service veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.
The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. A Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday: "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."
U.S. Representative Ed Rees from Emporia, Kansas, presented a bill establishing the holiday through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower, also from Kansas, signed the bill into law on May 26, 1954.
Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been known as Veterans Day since.
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