Recognising changes

Decline can be over time

Many older people will be managing one or more health conditions and may have been living with these diseases for a number of years. The person may have had some episodes of sickness and decline and even have spent some time in hospital dealing with a health crisis. Some older people may move into residential aged care to get the care and support they need to manage.

What to recognise

As decline may continue over time. is can make it hard to recognise that changes are occurring. Noticing decline can indicate that planning for further changes may be needed. Some common things that may indicate things are changing are:

• less interest in doing things they enjoyed before
• changes in how they act and talk
• less interest in food and eating
• weight loss
• not as physically active as previously
• getting slower and less mobile
• incontinence
• problems swallowing.

The older person may also indicate that they see that they are not as well as before.