Recognizing Warning Signs

Family caregivers are in a unique position: they see their person every day (or nearly every day) and know what normal looks like. That knowledge makes you the most sensitive early warning system in the entire care team. But only if you know what to watch for.

Section 01

Your Advantage — You Know Their Baseline

💡 Change from baseline is the signal

A physician sees a patient for 15 minutes every few months. A visiting nurse may come weekly or biweekly. You are with your person regularly — you know what they look like, how they talk, what they eat, how they move, what their mood is like on a good day. When something changes from their baseline, you are the first to notice.

The clinical signal is not a specific reading or symptom in isolation — it is change from what is normal for this person. Trust your knowledge of your person.

Section 02

Call 911 Immediately

🚨 These require emergency services — do not wait

Chest pain or pressure — especially with shortness of breath, sweating, arm pain, or nausea
Stroke symptoms (FAST): Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty — Time to call 911
Severe difficulty breathing
Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
Seizure (new onset or longer/different than usual)
Severe fall with possible fracture — do not move the person
Sudden severe headache — described as "the worst headache of my life"

Section 03

Call the Doctor or Home Health Nurse Same Day

Fever: Temperature above 100.4°F (or any fever in someone immunocompromised)
Fall without emergency symptoms: Even if the person says they are fine
New or significantly changed pain
Sudden confusion or disorientation in someone who is usually oriented — this is a medical symptom, not just dementia
Significant change in urination: Much less, much more, painful, or very dark
New swelling in legs, ankles, or feet
Significant appetite or weight change
Wound changes: Increased redness, warmth, drainage, or odor

Section 04

The Confusion Signal

⚠ Sudden confusion is a medical emergency until proven otherwise

New or sudden confusion — particularly in an older adult — is one of the most important warning signs a family caregiver can recognize. Common causes that are treatable:

Urinary tract infection (UTI): The most common cause of sudden confusion in elderly women — often without the typical UTI symptoms
Medication effects: New medications, missed medications, or drug interactions
Dehydration
Infection of any kind
Stroke

Do not attribute new or sudden confusion to dementia progression alone — many cases are treatable conditions that look like dementia. Report same day.

Section 05

Module 2 Complete

✓ Module 2: Practical Care Skills complete

You now have foundational skills in safe mobility, medication management, nutrition and hydration, personal care with dignity, and recognizing warning signs. Module 3 moves to the healthcare system — how to navigate it, advocate within it, and use it effectively for your person.