Physical Symptom Triggers

• Sleep complaints; observable changes in sleeping patterns; unusual fatigue, malaise, or daytime drowsiness; apparent sedation (e.g., a formerly punctual older adult begins oversleeping and is not ready when the senior center van arrives for pickup)
• Cognitive impairment, memory or concentration disturbances, disorientation or confusion (e.g., family members have difficulty following an older adult’s conversation, the older adult is no longer able to participate in the weekly bridge game or track the plot on daily soap operas)
• Seizures, malnutrition, muscle wasting
• Liver function abnormalities
• Persistent irritability (without obvious cause) and altered mood, depression, or anxiety
• Unexplained complaints about chronic pain or other somatic complaints
• Incontinence, urinary retention, difficulty urinating
• Poor hygiene and self-neglect
• Unusual restlessness and agitation
• Complaints of blurred vision or dry mouth
• Unexplained nausea and vomiting or gastrointestinal distress
• Changes in eating habits
• Slurred speech
• Tremor, motor uncoordination, shuffling gait
• Frequent falls and unexplained bruising