CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Isolation and self neglect are always a major concern as we age but that concern increases during the holidays for those who don’t have adequate socialization or family support. In the absence of those two things it can be very easy for seniors to be less attentive to their needs which can put them at risk, especially if there is any type of cognitive decline or physical ability.

Home health care agencies can be an effective support system not only to provide seniors with essential needs, but can also encourage them to pay closer attention to both their physical and social-emotional health. The challenge comes when seniors hide the fact that they are not taking care of those needs, and they can be motivated to do so during the holiday season as not to alarm their family members. Korey Hess, a community outreach specialist with Bright Star Care of Charlottesville says noticing the signs of elder neglect is a serious issue and requires those connected to seniors to pay very close attention.

“It’s a super serious topic and I wish it was black and white but it is always such a gray topic to go over,” Hess said during an appearance of Cville Right Now Live on WINA Radio. “The biggest thing about self neglect is that its hard to notice when you’re in the situation. It’s not a point that comes up much because normally neither the families nor the person notices that this is an issue, when you’re in the picture its hard to see the big picture.” Hess said. When families are entrenched in holiday traditions, everyone can be preoccupied with festivities which makes it easy to overlook any subtle changes in a senior relative’s behavior. Hess believes that’s why having an outside home care agency come in can bring some objective eyes to the situation that will notice subtle changes in behavior that the family doesn’t normally perceive.

“We’re able to see it from a non-biased perspective, we don’t see it developing slowly its more of a big change when we come in, and it can present itself in many ways, you know it could be weight loss, confusion, unpaid bills, there’s so many different forms it can come in but its all about having someone be there with them that can have a non-biased set of eyes to see that change,” Hess said.

Self neglect can actually produce physical symptoms, but again if you’re not paying attention, you can miss it, especially during the holidays.

“A lot of times we see it with them not taking their medication, maybe skipping meals, missing check ups, missing doctors appointments, letting the house get a little bit messy, just things that in the moment, but its the constant neglect of doing things and not just because your body is sore, its that consistent neglect that can really deteriorate things,” Hess continued.

So, of course the obvious question is what can you do to avoid missing the signs that something is wrong during such a busy time of the year? Hess says that’s while its important to check in on your loved ones, it’s even more important to have candid conversations with them.

“Start the conversation early, whether that’s family talking to family and having those hard conversations or maybe its bringing in an agency before you even think that you need it, start the conversation,” Hess said.

So, it’s important this holiday season to engage your loved ones and not let them avoid talking about themselves or how they’re feeling, and they might just reveal something that needs to be brought to everyone’s attention in the family to preserve the quality of life for the elderly parent or grandparent.