HOUSTON – Sometimes it’s obvious when a senior citizen needs to be rushed to the hospital. Severe chest pains or shortness of breath would be certain danger signals. But doctors say the signs are not always so obvious, so it’s extremely important for family members and others to closely watch over the elderly. Sometimes, it takes a volunteer. "They’re definitely vulnerable, they’re alone," said Sheila Jorgensen, a case assessor for Meals on Wheels. She’s also a volunteer for Interfaith Ministries’ Friendly Visitor Program, which connects volunteers with seniors who live alone. Jorgensen often visits 74-year-old Estella Norton, a retired teacher’s assistant who worked for HISD for 27 years. Norton suffers from a number of health issues including diabetes and high blood pressure. "That’s my biggest concern, my health," said Norton. "I’m declining, I know that. I didn’t come here to stay." Jorgensen knows that every time she visits Norton, she needs to be on the lookout for anything that may warrant immediate medical attention. Meanwhile, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine who research geriatrics say it’s often small changes that can signal big problems. "When there’s a persistent and significant change from one day to the next, then that’s a time to at least increase your level of worry, increase how carefully you look at somebody and ask the question: ‘Gee, is there really something going on?’" advised Dr. George Taffet. If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to err on the side of caution and call a doctor.
