There is arguably no time of year more family-oriented than the winter holiday season, when sons, daughters, and relatives from around the globe come home to visit their loved ones. These reunions grant us opportunities to share stories and grow closer together. They allow us to spend time with family members, some of whom we have not seen for a significant period of time.

The holidays are a time to celebrate good health and happiness – but truthfully, this is not always the case. Though we wish the best for our loved ones, sometimes their health declines. The decline may be steep or it may be gradual. It may be evident or it may be more difficult to identify.

Over the course of these family gatherings you may observe subtle changes in your loved ones’ behavior, such as your mom struggling to find the right words to describe something or forgetting to turn the stove off. Maybe dad is not able to perform his daily activities without a little help.

Other observations may include:

• Balance issues or recent falls
• The presence of disorganized or expired medications
• Evidence of “hoarding” or excessive messiness of the home
• Poor personal hygiene
• Spoiled groceries (or lack of groceries) in the house
• Evidence of neglected responsibilities, such as unpaid bills

At Capital City Nurses, and The Cottage At Curry Manor, we often hear from concerned families during the holiday season. Not knowing who to call or where to turn, sons and daughters may feel anxious, frustrated, and fearful. Who will advocate for their parent when they must return home?

Whether the assistance is companionship or the skilled care of a Registered Nurse, it all starts with the awareness that someone we care about is in need of help. Valuable resources can be found – your loved one’s primary care physician, private duty home care agencies, or Aging Life Care Managers are some examples of those who can help. The next step is reaching out.

Why not consider contacting Capital City Nurses or The Cottage At Curry Manor to learn how private duty home care or Assisted Living can benefit your mom or dad? Finding trustworthy help for nurse-supervised home care or an assisted living residence, where expert care, delicious cuisine, and a social community exist is a phone call away.

We encourage you to make the most of your time with family in the coming weeks. Embrace every moment you have together. It is in this spirit of togetherness that we, the Capital City Nurses Family of Companies, wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.