A couple of Christmases ago, my mother (who was then aged just 70) announced at our family get-together that she was 'giving up walking'. My brother and I were slightly stunned, but after a bit of cajoling and teasing (the approach that works best with my mum), it turned out that she had a weak ankle that was making her feel uncomfortable and vulnerable when she was walking around outside the home. Fortunately, we were able to persuade her to visit her doctor, who in turn referred her to a physiotherapist and, within a few weeks, she was back to her normal self.
With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us will be meeting up with parents, aunts and uncles for the first time in a while and will have the opportunity to see how age is affecting them and to check if they are looking after themselves. This article from the Mayo Clinic offers you five things to look out for on your next trip home which will help you gauge whether your loved ones need assistance or not.
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