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16BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2013Formanythisisthetimeofyearwefocusonournewyearsresolution.Ourgoalsmayincludebeingmorephysicallyfitimprovingourfinancialconditionorlosingweight.Itsalsoatimeoftheyearwhenissuesrelatedtoagingandhealthcometotheforefrontaswemayseechangesinthewellnessandsafetyofourlovedones.Todaymanyofusfacethefactthatwemayhavetobecomecaregiverstoafamilymember.Wemayseetheneedsofourlovedoneschangingorhavetotakeonmoreresponsibilitiesforouragingparentsorastheresultofasuddencrisissuchasastrokeoraccidenthavetobecomeacaregiver.AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesapproxi-mately9millionAmericansage65andoverneededlong-termcarein2012withthatnumberexpectedtoriseto12millionby2020.Familyandfriendsprovidemostlong-termcarebutsometimeswemayhavetogetlong-termservicesfromoutsiderssuchascommunityorganizationsagenciesorresidentialfacilities.Thedeclineinmentalandphysicalcapabilitiesisinevitablewithaging.Aspeoplearelivinglongerandhealth-ierlivesitmaybehardforustodeter-minewhenalovedoneneedsoutsidecareButingeneralweshouldlookforchangesthatposeathreattomedi-calorphysicalsafety.SomechangesthatmaysignaltheneedforhelpmayincludeBehaviorchangesnx0Changesinpersonalhygienenx0Changesintidinessorcleanlinessofthehomeoryardnx0Mailandbillsunopenedorunpaidnx0Odorse.g.fromspoiledfoodnx0Missedappointmentsnx0Gettinglostinfamiliarplacesnx0Evidenceofsafetyriskse.g.burnedpotsincabinetsnx0EvidencethatmedicationsarenotbeingtakenproperlyPhysicalsymptomsnx0Weightgainorlossnx0Unsteadinesswhenwalkingorget-tingupanddownfromachairnx0Evidenceofincontinencee.g.odorofurineinthehomenx0Unusualthirstnx0Darkenedhousewiththeshadesdrawnnx0Decreasedcontactwithfamilyandfriendsnx0Morewithdrawnlessconversa-tionalWhenyoufindyourselfconcerneddonx19trushinandtakeover.Insteaddiscusstheissueswithyourlovedonetheirprimarycarephysicianageron-tologistoraseniorcarespecialist.Ifyoufindyourselfinasituationwhereyouneed24-hourskillednursingcareweatForestStreetCompassionateCareCenterunderstand.Wedonx19tleavethecompassionoutForemoreinformationonForestStreetCompassionateCareCenterpleasevisithttpwww.forestst.orgorcall303393.7600orstopbyandvisitusat3345ForestStreetDenverCO80207.ELDERCARECheckinginonOurLovedOnesHealthByMayaWheelerMHAAspeoplearelivinglongerandhealthierlivesitmaybehardforustodeterminewhenalovedoneneedsoutsidecare.Butingeneralweshouldlookforchangesthatposeathreattomedicalorphysicalsafety.MayaWheeler