28 Wellness Questions to Ask Seniors Over the Holiday Season

It’s been months since you have had the chance for a nice, long visit with Mom. Now that the holidays are here, you will have some quality time to catch up. Naturally, you’ll want to make the most of this time together, but it’s also an ideal time to assess how she is really doing, and if you can detect any changes in her health that perhaps have gone unnoticed through phone calls and FaceTime.

To help you determine areas of potential concern to evaluate, we’ve compiled the following list of wellness questions. You may wish to ask some of these questions to a loved one outright, while others may be answered by noticing the home environment and the senior herself.

Mental/Physical Health

• Is she spending time with friends?
• Does she seem happy and content?
• Do you notice any bruises or other injuries that could indicate a fall?
• Is she having trouble falling or staying asleep?
• Does she seem short of breath?
• Has she gained or lost weight?
• Is she stumbling or holding onto furniture or the wall to get around?
• Does the senior seem to be moving more slowly and cautiously?
• Is she eating more or less than usual?
• Is she actively engaged in enjoyable activities?

Cognitive Health

• Does the senior seem more forgetful or confused than usual?
• Is she misplacing items, only to find them in unexpected places, such as the car keys in the refrigerator?
• Is she repeating questions or statements in conversations?
• Is she struggling to remember the names of familiar people or objects?
• Are there pieces of mail and bills that have not been opened?
• Are you noticing any unusual behaviors?

Elder/Financial Abuse

• Has she provided anyone with personal information over the phone or internet?
• Is she communicating with strangers online?
• Does she suddenly have a new “friendship” with someone whose motives may be questionable?
• Are there any changes in her banking activity?
• Has she cosigned for a loan for anyone?
• Does she seem more timid or anxious than usual?

Home Maintenance

• Is the laundry clean and put away?
• Is the home cleaned to the senior’s typical standards?
• Is there clutter in the home that could pose a fall risk?
• Is the yard maintained?
• Are there any hazards you’re noticing, such as scorch marks on pans or the countertop that could indicate inattention to cooking?
• Are the bed linens being changed regularly?

If you have any concerns about a senior’s safety or well-being, regardless of how small, home care can help. Contact CareWorks Health Services at (949) 859-4700 for more information about our home care in Seal Beach and neighboring communities.