What Does a Wellness Check Consist Of?

Wellness checks are an important way to ensure the health and safety of senior citizens. As people age, there is an increased risk for falls, injuries, isolation, and medical emergencies. Wellness checks provide regular contact and assessment to identify potential issues early. This allows preventative action to avoid larger problems. Understanding what wellness checks involve and how they help seniors can encourage their use.

What is the Importance of Wellness Checks for Seniors?

Wellness checks are vital for monitoring senior wellbeing. As people grow older, there is an increased chance of developing medical conditions and experiencing events like falls. Wellness checks establish regular contact to assess how seniors are functioning. This allows concerning changes to be identified early before they escalate into crises.

Ongoing wellness checks also reduce isolation and provide social interaction for seniors living alone. This improves quality of life while allowing any issues to be detected. Overall, wellness checks are an essential way to uphold senior safety and independence.

What Does a Wellness Check Consist of for Seniors?

A wellness check consists of in-person contact and assessment of a senior citizen. This is often conducted by a nurse, social worker, or other medical professional. The check involves going to the senior’s home to evaluate their living environment and health status. The person conducting the check will assess the senior’s:

• Physical health – Checking for signs of injury, illness, or deterioration. Assessing mobility, balance, and physical functioning. 
• Cognitive status – Testing memory, orientation, reasoning and judgment. Screening for potential dementia or confusion.
• Safety – Evaluating home safety hazards like tripping risks. Assessing food availability, cleanliness, and medication management. 
• Mood – Screening for depression, anxiety, loneliness and subjective wellbeing. 
• Need for assistance – Determining if additional medical or social services are required.

The wellness check provides a thorough appraisal of how well a senior is functioning. It allows early intervention for any issues noticed.

How is a Wellness Check Different from a Welfare Check?

A wellness check is a proactive assessment of senior wellbeing, often conducted routinely. A welfare check is done reactively in response to a specific concern about a senior’s safety. Welfare checks are often performed by police when a senior cannot be contacted and potential danger is feared.

While welfare checks focus on immediate safety, wellness checks take a broader look at overall functioning. Wellness checks aim to prevent crises, while welfare checks respond to possible emergencies. Both are important to ensure seniors are safe.

How Do Police and Emergency Services Conduct Wellness Checks for the Elderly?

When there is urgent concern for a senior’s welfare, police and emergency medical services can perform wellness checks. A family member or neighbor who cannot contact the senior and suspects potential harm may call the non-emergency police number to request a welfare check. Police will visit the home to assess the situation. If no one responds, police may enter using a key or force entry if necessary.

They will search for the resident and assess their safety and need for medical care, providing emergency aid if required. An evaluation is done of the home environment for safety hazards. If the senior is not home, the police will attempt to locate them. The requesting party is updated on the senior’s status.

What are the Signs that an Elderly Person May Need a Wellness Check?

There are many warning signs that can indicate an elderly person needs a proactive wellness check by a medical professional:

How Does Aging, Isolation, and Loneliness Impact the Need for Wellness Checks?

• Increased age – Older seniors are more fragile and require frequent monitoring. Those over 80 may need checks every 1-2 weeks.
• Living alone – Without family or friends around, problems can go unnoticed. Social isolation increases risks.
• Lack of activity – Seniors who stop engaging in normal activities or hobbies may be having difficulties. 
• Recent loss – The death of a spouse, sibling or close friend can increase isolation.
• Poor self-care – Decline in personal hygiene or home cleanliness can signify problems.

How Does Frailty and Mobility Issues Indicate the Need for a Wellness Check?

• Multiple medications – Complex medicine regimens increase risks of issues like falls.
• Frailty – Weakness, fatigue and decreased strength may impair functioning.
• Mobility problems – Issues walking or balance problems boost fall risk.
• Recent falls – More than one fall in a short period indicates greater chance of re-falling. 
• Assistive devices – Canes, walkers and wheelchairs increase fall risks if used improperly.

How Does Cognitive Decline and Dementia Influence the Need for Wellness Checks?

Seniors with cognitive impairment from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease often require frequent wellness checks to remain safe. Warning signs include:

• Memory loss – Forgetting events, people’s names or appointments.
• Disorientation – Getting lost in familiar places. Confusion about time or location. 
• Communication issues – Difficulty finding words. Rambling or disjointed speech.
• Poor judgment – Making questionable or unsafe decisions.
• Mood changes – Increased agitation, anger or apathy.
• Functional decline – Unable to follow medication regimen or manage finances.

How Do Fall Risks, Heat Stroke, and Hypothermia Trigger the Need for Wellness Checks?

Other red flags that can warrant a wellness check include:

• Heat waves – Seniors are at high risk for heat stroke and dehydration in hot weather.
• Cold snaps – Hypothermia is more likely in seniors due to poor circulation and temperature regulation.
• Power outages – Loss of electricity can be dangerous if medically necessary equipment cannot function.
• Natural disasters – Storms, floods or fires leave seniors isolated and vulnerable. 
• Frequent falls – Multiple falls indicate improper use of assistive devices or environmental hazards.

How Do I Request a Wellness Check for an Elderly Person?

If you feel an elderly friend, neighbor or family member needs a wellness check you can:

• Contact their primary care doctor and express your concerns. The physician can schedule a home visit.
• Call their local Area Agency on Aging office to request a wellness check.
• Contact a social worker or case manager connected to the senior and explain worries about their wellbeing. 
• Set up a daily check-in system with neighbors to monitor safety. Knock on doors or call if no contact.
• For urgent concerns, call emergency services or non-emergency police numbers to do a welfare check.

What are the Benefits of Wellness Checks for Seniors?

Routine wellness checks provide many valuable benefits:

• Allow early detection and prevention of major medical issues.
• Reduce falls and hospitalizations through early intervention. 
• Decrease social isolation and loneliness.
• Support functional independence by identifying needed services.
• Provide reassurance and peace of mind to family and caregivers.
• Enable seniors to safely age in place at home longer.
• Catch potential self-neglect issues like poor nutrition or medication non-adherence. 
• Reduce risk of exploitation or abuse going unnoticed.

How Can I Help to Prevent Elderly People from Needing Wellness Checks?

You can help reduce the need for wellness checks by:

• Calling or visiting elderly relatives and neighbors regularly.
• Offering transportation to prevent isolation.
• Helping with home safety modifications like grab bars and railings.
• Setting up a prescription delivery service and medication organizer.
• Ensuring proper assistive equipment is used.
• Finding senior-friendly community activities to participate in.
• Volunteering to assist with chores, meals or errands.
• Educating seniors on emergency planning and crisis response.
• Advocating for increased senior services in your community.

Conclusion

Wellness checks are a vital way to ensure at-risk seniors remain healthy and safe. Knowing when to request a check for an elderly person, and understanding what is involved, can provide peace of mind.

Wellness checks allow early intervention to maintain quality of life and independence. A proactive approach with routine wellness assessments facilitates successful aging. With a supportive community looking out for their wellbeing, seniors can feel more secure.

Frequently Asked Questions