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There are many situations and signs that may indicate a person is experiencing some difficulty managing or is potentially at risk. The most common indicators are listed in this section. If you observe any one or a combination of these signs, it could indicate a referral to the Gatekeeper Program is needed.
It is important to remember that you are looking for changes in a person's overall ability to function, not isolated incidents.
What to Look Out for...
- Gatekeepers look for changes in a person's overall ability to manage activities of daily living:
- Ability to communicate, including confusion, memory loss, becoming withdrawn, hostile or angry.
- Personal appearance, such as poor hygiene (body odour, urine smell) grooming, wearing dirty or inappropriate clothes.
- The condition of the home, such as extreme neglect or disrepair, bad odours, excessive clutter, neglected pets, lack of food.
- Physical losses such as difficulty seeing, speaking or hearing, poor mobility or balance, significant weight loss, injuries or untreated wounds.
- Ability to handle money, difficulty in paying bills, or not paying bills at all, unusual transactions.
- Ability to cope with the recent loss of a spouse or family member, friend or pet.
- Neglect or abuse (emotional, financial, sexual or physical), isolation, wandering.
Some Signs of (Possible) Elder Abuse:
Victims of Elder Abuse may show signs of:
- Changes in behaviour
- Changes in habits
- Changes in health/well-being
- Isolation
This site last updated on: Mon, Jun 7, 2004
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