Are you visiting elderly parents or relatives this Christmas?

This is a guest post by Alison Hesketh from TimeFinders who offer a Retirement Downsizing Service.

Christmas is a time when families come together, sometimes for the first time in weeks or even months.

Families are often dispersed across the country – if not the world – and keep in touch by telephone throughout the year.

Christmas can be one of the few occasions when you spend an extended period of time with parents and relatives.

It is only then that you discover that the assurance, “I’m fine”, in telephone conversations masks the struggle of day to day living.

You suddenly realize that their health, and their ability to cope, is deteriorating.

There may be tell-tale signs that a loved one is finding it hard to manage – the house is not as spick and span as it always used to be; the garden is overgrown; paperwork is piling up or personal grooming is compromised.

Relatives may have become obsessive about security and they now don’t get out as much as they used to – their horizons have shrunk.

Or they may have lost weight; the pantry might be empty. You may notice that a parent has adapted their behaviour, consciously or unconsciously, to mask signs of confusion in their partner.

Many elderly people are very reluctant to complain or to admit that they are finding life difficult: they resign themselves to struggling on, often to the further detriment of their health and well-being.

But help and support is available and it is important to act before a crisis hits so that they can keep control over decisions about where and how they live.

Just because someone is finding it difficult to manage where they are living now doesn’t mean that the only option is moving into a Care Home – but many elderly people fear that this is the case and so they won’t admit that they are struggling.

They don’t realize that there are many different and attractive choices available.

Research shows that moving to somewhere more manageable helps people to retain their independence for longer and be healthier and happier.

A new home could be the little bungalow next door, a lovely apartment or somewhere closer to family members.

Sheltered accommodation can provide the security of knowing there is someone on hand just in case it is necessary whilst keeping a high level of independence.

It is surprising how this assurance can increase someone’s confidence and enable them to live a more active, happier life.

The most important thing to remember is that your physical environment can have a dramatic effect on your health and well-being.

Living in the right place with help around the house and personal care if necessary can allow people to stay in their own home as long as they live.

If you are worried about an elderly relative this Christmas, or if you are struggling to manage at home, please call Alison Hesketh, Retirement Downsizing Service on 0118 909 9073 for a free, confidential, consultation.

Photo credit: Flickr/Brian Auer