We continue our series on Aging as a team sport…in this episode, we highlight some of the key things to observe collectively as a family when you come together during the Thanksgiving holidays.

It could be that there has been a gap in time since you last saw your aging parent face to face or in their home. Using the upcoming holiday to reconnect with your Older can bring joy and concern that can come with changings that come with aging. During Thanksgiving visits with your Older, pay attention to signs of health changes, including altered mobility or cognitive decline. Take a quiet moment to observe the state of their living conditions—look for signs of neglect or safety hazards. In between cooking and football games, watch for changes in their daily routines. Watch for how they are taking and tracking their medications. Your visit will lift your Older’s spirits for sure, and while you are there be attuned to emotional well-being, noting signs of loneliness or depression. Lastly, assess the overall caregiving situation and whether you and your family members need to put plans in place to support your Older while they live at home or even after they have moved to independent or senior living. Keep those lines of communication open with other family members and ensure that the support system is effective. Vigilance in these areas during Thanksgiving visits can help address potential issues promptly and ensure the well-being of aging parents. It also doesn’t hurt to schedule a post-thanksgiving debrief call. Keep following us for how to structure that follow up.

Let us know your experiences in your team, share your insights at [email protected].